New England's tallest native tree (up to 230 feet historically) and the species whose tall straight trunks made the British Royal Navy's masts in the 1700s — sparking the "Pine Tree Riot," a precursor to the Revolution.

Also called: Northern White Pine, Soft Pine

Native status: Native; state tree of Maine and Michigan

§ Quick facts

SizeMature height 20–55 m (66–180 ft); trunk diameter 0.6–1.5 m
WeightN/A
Lifespan200–450 years
OrderPinales
FamilyPinaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Pinus strobus, commonly called the eastern white pine, northern white pine, white pine, Weymouth pine (British), and soft pine is a large pine native to eastern North America. It occurs from Newfoundland, Canada, west through the Great Lakes region to southeastern Manitoba and Minnesota, United States, and south along the Appalachian Mountains and upper Piedmont to northernmost Georgia and very rare in some of the higher elevations in northeastern Alabama. It is considered rare in Indiana.

Source: Wikipedia — Pinus strobus Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Tall conifer with soft needles in bundles of 5 (only US pine with this trait). Slim cylindrical cones.

Similar species. Other 5-needle pines (western mountains). Hemlocks (shorter needles).

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. N/A — photosynthesis

Behavior. Once dominant northeastern hardwood-mixed forest tree. Wood used by colonial-era ship masts.

§ Range

Northeast and Great Lakes regions; Appalachian Mountains south to Georgia

§ Habitat

Cool, well-drained sites; both pure stands and mixed with hardwoods

§ Threats

Introduced white pine blister rust fungus, deer browsing on saplings, ice storm damage, conversion of mature stands to development.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern white pine is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Plant white pine away from currants and gooseberries (alternate host of the rust). Support eastern forest land trusts.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USDA Plants Database
  • National Park Service
  • Morton Arboretum
  • IUCN Red List 2013