Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus · Coniferous Evergreen Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer / Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (no specific named cultivar identified)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8
About This Tree
Large, fast-growing conifer featuring a straight trunk, horizontal branching arranged in regular whorls, and soft, flexible blue-green needles in bundles of five
Leaf Characteristics
Needles are soft, flexible, 3 to 5 inches long, bluish-green in color, borne in bundles of five, finely serrated margins
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and greenish-brown on young trees; becoming dark gray, deeply furrowed, and divided into broad, scaly ridges with age
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern North America, well-adapted to USDA zones 3 through 8
Growing Season
Evergreen year-round; new candles emerge in spring, pollen shed in late spring, cones mature in late summer to autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade, moderate watering needs once established, intolerant of prolonged drought and heavy clay soils
Mature Size
Reaches 50 to 80 feet tall with a spread of 20 to 40 feet; fast growth rate, can live for several hundred years
Special Characteristics
High lumber and timber value, excellent adaptability to acidic soils, sensitive to air pollution and road salt
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial nesting cover and winter shelter for birds and small mammals; seeds are heavily consumed by squirrels, chipmunks, and crossbills