Botanical Name:

Pinus strobus

Common Name:

eastern white pine, white pine

Family Name:

Pinaceae – pine family

General Description:

Pinus strobus is native across much of eastern Canada, eastern United States and the upper Midwest where it is among the tallest conifers in the forest reaching over 100 feet. In the Chicago area it is native in only a few counties around Lake Michigan. White pine is a fast growing, soft textured evergreen tree often used in the landscape. However, due to its large size and broad spreading branches it is best suited for large commercial or public sites. It is not tolerant of most urban conditions especially high pH soils and salt spray. When under environmental stress, Pinus strobus will often become chlorotic producing yellow-green needles. This should not be confused with the naturally occurring yellow-green fall/winter foliage that occurs on some white pines. There are many landscape worthy cultivars of white pine selected for a wide variety of size, shape, form and color.

Zone:

3-7

Resources Consulted:

Davis, Becke. "ILCA Presents-Pines: A Perpetual Favorite." Landscape Contractor May 2003: 29-33. Print.

Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. Champaign: Stipes, 2009. Print.

"The PLANTS Database." USDA, NRCS. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA, 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.

Swink, Floyd, and Gerould Wilhelm. Plants of the Chicago Region. Indianapolis: Indiana Academy of Science, 1994. Print.

Creator:

Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, Professor, College of DuPage

Creation Date:

2014

Keywords/Tags:

Pinaceae, tree, conifer, cone, needle, evergreen, Pinus strobus, eastern white pine

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