Pinus strobus, eastern white pine
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Coniferous Trees

Pinus strobus

eastern white pine

Pinaceae

Eastern North America, Newfoundland to Appalachians and Minnesota

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height50–80 feet (15–24 m)
Width20–40 feet (6–12 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Pinus strobus is a fast-growing, large evergreen pine native to eastern North America, widely planted in Pacific Northwest gardens for its soft texture and rapid growth. Trees reach 50–80 feet (15–24 m) tall and 20–40 feet (6–12 m) wide in cultivation; growth rate is 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) per year on good sites, among the fastest of the large pines. The crown is broadly pyramidal when young, becoming open, irregular, and often flat-topped with age. Needles are in bundles of five, 3–5 inches (7.5–12.5 cm) long, slender, flexible, blue-green with white inner surfaces, giving the foliage a soft, feathery texture. Cones are cylindrical, 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long, slender, pendant, light brown, resinous. Bark is smooth and gray-green on young trees, becoming gray and deeply furrowed on old trunks. White pine blister rust is the primary disease concern in the Pacific Northwest; remove alternate host plants within 1,000 feet (300 m). The species is susceptible to white pine weevil, which kills the central leader and causes multi-stemmed bushy growth.

Native Range

Pinus strobus is native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland and Manitoba south through the Appalachians to Georgia and west to Minnesota and Iowa. It is not native to the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen tree, windbreak, and screen in larger landscapes, spaced 20–25 feet (6–7.6 m) from adjacent plants. The rapid growth rate provides height and screening within 5–10 years. Eventual height of 50–80 feet (15–24 m) requires siting away from structures and power lines. The soft texture of the foliage contrasts with coarser-needled pines in mixed conifer plantings.

How to Identify

Pinus strobus is identified by five needles per fascicle, 3–5 inches (7.5–12.5 cm) long, slender, flexible, blue-green with white stomatal lines. The long, slender, pendant cones, 4–8 inches (10–20 cm), are distinctive. Distinguished from P. monticola by the slightly shorter, softer needles and generally shorter cones; distinguished from P. parviflora by the longer, softer needles and pendant (not erect) cones.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 80'
Width/Spread20' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

blue green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
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SpringSummer
Male strobili are yellow, releasing pollen in May–June. Female cones are cylindrical, 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long, slender, pendant, ripening from green to light brown in the second season, opening to release winged seeds in late summer. Cone production begins at 5–10 years.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow (male strobili)

Foliage Description

blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–25 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water weekly during the first two growing seasons; established trees prefer consistent moisture but tolerate moderate drought. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils; tolerates sandy substrates but performs poorly in heavy clay or alkaline conditions. White pine blister rust is the primary disease concern; remove Ribes plants within 1,000 feet (300 m). White pine weevil kills the central leader in spring; removing the weevil-damaged shoot and training a single lateral as a replacement leader maintains the pyramidal form. Highly sensitive to salt spray and air pollution; not suitable for roadside planting.

Pruning

No pruning is required for natural form. White pine weevil damage to the central leader should be addressed promptly by cutting the dead shoot below the kill zone and training the strongest lateral as a replacement leader. Dead branches can be removed at any time. Lower branches can be removed for clearance; this does not harm the tree. Pruning into old wood without live foliage is not productive.

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef