Eastern White Pine Tree

A Low-Maintenance Evergreen with a Towering Presence

Eastern White Pine Tree (Pinus strobus) doesn't have an obvious whitish appearance; it was so-named for its beautiful white sapwood. It's a grand architectural tree for the landscape with a natural pyramidal shape and commanding height that can reach 50-80 feet. If you have a large yard, this impressive tree requires little care for big rewards!

Valuable and Versatile
Native American canoes, colonial ship masts, and a source of turpentine are some of the historical uses of Eastern White Pine. This long-lived tree is still treasured in today's landscapes, claiming benefits that include:

• Fast growth: You can almost see Eastern White Pine grow! It typically adds 2 feet to its height each year.

• Cold tolerance: As a Northeastern US native plant, Eastern White Pine tolerates cold temperatures to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3. In fact, it thrives in the cooler regions of its perennial range.

• Adaptability to different soils: This tree is not too fussy about the type of soil, although it does need to be planted on a site that drains well.

Design Options
As a single specimen plant, Eastern White Pine makes a stunning focal point. In a group planting, multiple trees add a soft, billowy touch to large landscapes when spaced 25 feet apart. If you plant a row of Eastern White Pines and space them closer '–15 feet apart '– they'll create a massive green screen for privacy. If you want shade, Eastern White Pine delivers, particularly because of its fast growth. And if you want a tree that you can decorate as a living Christmas tree, Eastern White Pine is a superb choice!

Ease of Care
Eastern White Pine is better in rural locations than in urban settings. It likes wide, open spaces because it can be damaged by urban air pollution, road salt, and compacted soil. Give this tree plenty of water when you transplant it to help it develop a strong root system. After it becomes firmly established, it will tolerate short periods of drought. Although it's deer- and rabbit-resistant, it is highly appealing to other wildlife. Many bird species, such as nuthatches, warblers, and sparrows nest in its boughs and eat the seeds inside the pine cones. So if you're a bird watcher, plant Eastern White Pine and watch them flock to this tree!