Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus · Evergreen Coniferous Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer, Shade Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (Pinus strobus)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 8
About This Tree
A tall, fast-growing evergreen with a straight trunk and a layered, horizontal branching habit. In youth, it has a symmetrical pyramidal crown which becomes more irregular and wind-swept with age.
Leaf Characteristics
Needles are soft, flexible, and bluish-green to silvery-green; 2 to 5 inches long; always growing in clusters (fascicles) of five needles.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and grayish-green on young trees; becomes thick, deeply furrowed into rectangular grayish-brown ridges on mature specimens.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern North America, from Newfoundland to Georgia and west to Manitoba
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen foliage; new needle growth (candles) appears in spring; pollen released in late spring; seeds mature in second autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Reaches 50 to 80 feet in height with a 20 to 40 foot spread in landscapes (can exceed 150 feet in the wild); fast growth rate.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for soft timber; features a distinctive 'whispering' sound when wind passes through the needles; susceptible to salt spray and air pollution (ozone).
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical nesting sites for large birds like Bald Eagles; seeds are a primary food source for squirrels, nuthatches, and crossbills; provides excellent winter cover.