Pinus strobus (Eastern white pine)

Pinus strobus L.

Eastern white pine, white pine

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Coniferophyta	Conifers—cone-bearing trees (and a few shrubs)
Class	Pinopsida	Gymnosperms such as cedars, Douglas-firs, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauri, larches, pines, hemlocks, redwoods, spruces, and yews
Order	Pinales	Cone-bearing plants: cedar, cypress, fir, juniper, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, yew, and others
Family	Pinaceae	Pine family: cedars, firs, hemlocks, larches, pines and spruces
Genus	Pinus	Latin for “pine”
Species	strobus	Latin for “coned”

About plant names...

Eastern white pine is a widespread native of North America. The soft, lightweight, easily worked wood has many applications. Trees often reach 250 years in age, with the oldest approaching 500 years.

Identification: Trees typically reach 50-80' (15-24 m) high, and up to 120' (36 m). Young trees are conical in shape, but older trees often lose lower branches and become less evenly shaped. Bark on younger trees is smooth and gray; on older trees it takes the form of gray or reddish rounded scales. Leaves are blue-green evergreen needles 3-5" (7.6-12 cm) long, in groups of 5. Needles are thinner (less than ¹/₃₂" (1 mm)) than those of other species of pines. Male flowers are yellow, while female flowers are light green; both are inconspicuous. Cones are 5-10" (12-25 cm) long, oval or cylindrical in shape, up to 1½" (3.8 cm) wide.

For further information, see the Pinus comparison tables.

Online References:

Pinus strobus on

Pinus strobus at the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

Pinus strobus at the University of Florida Environmental Horticulture site (PDF)

Pinus strobus at the Ohio State University PLANTFacts database

References:

Sibley, David Allen, The Sibley Guide to Trees, Alfred A. Knopf, 2009, p. 6

4/25/2013 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts

That’s a beaver lodge in front. · 4/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts

5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts
≈ 14 × 9" (35 × 23 cm)

5/8/2021 · Devil’s Back Trail, Orr’s Island, Maine
≈ 6 × 4" (14 × 10.0 cm)

3/11/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 4½ × 7' (1.5 × 2.2 m)

4/3/2010 · Point Lookout (Elev 550'), Lincolnville, Maine

Strobus strobus (L.) Small

Strobus strobus (L.) Small nom. inval.

Pinus strobus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Aug 2021.

6/8/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 8" (13 × 19 cm)

9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
≈ 30 × 45" (76 × 115 cm)

The pine sap essential to a living tree’s health moves along the outer perimeter of the tree, a zone under the bark called the vascular cambium. · 10/14/2020 · Woodward Point Preserve, Brunswick, Maine

7/27/2016 · Michaux State Forest, Caledonia State Park, Fayetteville, Pennsylvania

4/23/2010 · Nashua Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 9.2 cm)

5/12/2007 · Pepperell, Massachusetts

4/10/2021 · Stream Loop Trail, Big Falls Preserve, New Gloucester, Maine

6/7/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 4" (13 × 10 cm)

Range: Zones 3-7:

About this map...