Eastern White Pine
Take a Quick Glance...
A Closer Look...
Scientific name: Pinus strobus
Angiosperm/Gymnosperm: Gymonosperm
Natural Habitat: Woodland Garden Canopy
Leaf Pattern: Evergreen needles, 3 to 5 inches
long, with five, slender, flexible needles per fascicle; fascicle sheath
deciduous, needles appear blue-green because of 3 or more glaucous lines of
stomata.Needles in groups of 5; 3" to 5" long; dark blue-green, turning light
green in winter in Utah; straight; slender; flexible; evergreen, remain on tree
2-3 years
Germination process, Seed type: Favorable seedbeds include moist mineral soil, mosses, and short grass cover of light to medium density. Dry mineral soil, pine litter, lichen, and very thin or very thick grass covers are poor seedbeds in full light but adequate in shade. Very limited delayed emergence the second year after seed fall, and none after 3 years. Seedlings require at least 20% full light for survival. They achieve maximum height growth in 45% of full light. Early growth is slow, but between 10 and 20 years of age, the average annual height growth is about 16" per year…. Seeds germinate in the spring. Terminal shoot growth is usually completed by the end of June
How is it pollinated and spread: Seed dispersal primarily by wind. Seeds travel 200' within a stand and more than 700' in the open. Animals also disperse seeds. White-footed mice and red-backed voles bury caches containing seed beneath the litter but on top of the mineral soil. Caches that escape decimation produce seedlings.The pollen-bearing flowers are clustered in small cones at the
base of the new growth. The bright red seed-producing flowers occur on other twigs. The cones take two years to mature. Male strobili open and shed pollen in April through June, depending on latitude.
Species and animals that occur there: Pine seeds are eaten by red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches, black-capped chickadees, and pine warblers. The larvae of the western pine white butterfly (Neophasia menapia) feeds on the needles,
as do the eastern pine elfins and western pineelfins.
Ethnobotany: White pine was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its antiseptic and vulnerary qualities, using it extensively in the treatment of skin complaints, wounds, burns, boils etc. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so was used in treating coughs, c Shorter White Pines are popular options for Christmas Trees for those on the East coastolds, influenza and so on.Branches of these pines are also used for holiday decorations such as wreaths and garlands due to their flexibility and soft needles. Many of the Christmas decorations (that are plants) you see around your house and on campus are made from the branches of Eastern White Pines.Today pine seeds are brewed into a strong tea, high in vitamin A and C. Check out this site for a further explanation of the benefits of pine tea here. Native Americans used all parts of the pine tree for food. The bark was ground as an addition to breads and the sap could be used for flavoring and as a sort of chewing substance like gum. Lumber is a direct product of Eastern White Pines. Pine wood can be used for the interior composition of homes as well as for furniture and smaller novelties due to its durable yet flexible nature. Pines are also relatively cost effective as they require little upkeep and can withstand harsh conditions. This is also why having a Christmas tree farm can be a financially advantageous business venture if you have the space and conditions necessary to grow the necessary amount of trees. Pine oil is effective in treating diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and for rheumatic and neuralgic ailments. In addition, it is used in cabinetmaking, furniture, interior finishes, woodenware, matches and lumber. The white pine produces the most valuable softwood lumber in
eastern North America and is used extensively for interior trim, window sashes, door frames and for intricate carpentry. Excellent carving material. Lightweight, soft, even-textured, and easily worked, Eastern White Pine is probably the least resinous of all pines.
Angiosperm/Gymnosperm: Gymonosperm
Natural Habitat: Woodland Garden Canopy
Leaf Pattern: Evergreen needles, 3 to 5 inches
long, with five, slender, flexible needles per fascicle; fascicle sheath
deciduous, needles appear blue-green because of 3 or more glaucous lines of
stomata.Needles in groups of 5; 3" to 5" long; dark blue-green, turning light
green in winter in Utah; straight; slender; flexible; evergreen, remain on tree
2-3 years
Germination process, Seed type: Favorable seedbeds include moist mineral soil, mosses, and short grass cover of light to medium density. Dry mineral soil, pine litter, lichen, and very thin or very thick grass covers are poor seedbeds in full light but adequate in shade. Very limited delayed emergence the second year after seed fall, and none after 3 years. Seedlings require at least 20% full light for survival. They achieve maximum height growth in 45% of full light. Early growth is slow, but between 10 and 20 years of age, the average annual height growth is about 16" per year…. Seeds germinate in the spring. Terminal shoot growth is usually completed by the end of June
How is it pollinated and spread: Seed dispersal primarily by wind. Seeds travel 200' within a stand and more than 700' in the open. Animals also disperse seeds. White-footed mice and red-backed voles bury caches containing seed beneath the litter but on top of the mineral soil. Caches that escape decimation produce seedlings.The pollen-bearing flowers are clustered in small cones at the
base of the new growth. The bright red seed-producing flowers occur on other twigs. The cones take two years to mature. Male strobili open and shed pollen in April through June, depending on latitude.
Species and animals that occur there: Pine seeds are eaten by red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches, black-capped chickadees, and pine warblers. The larvae of the western pine white butterfly (Neophasia menapia) feeds on the needles,
as do the eastern pine elfins and western pineelfins.
Ethnobotany: White pine was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its antiseptic and vulnerary qualities, using it extensively in the treatment of skin complaints, wounds, burns, boils etc. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so was used in treating coughs, c Shorter White Pines are popular options for Christmas Trees for those on the East coastolds, influenza and so on.Branches of these pines are also used for holiday decorations such as wreaths and garlands due to their flexibility and soft needles. Many of the Christmas decorations (that are plants) you see around your house and on campus are made from the branches of Eastern White Pines.Today pine seeds are brewed into a strong tea, high in vitamin A and C. Check out this site for a further explanation of the benefits of pine tea here. Native Americans used all parts of the pine tree for food. The bark was ground as an addition to breads and the sap could be used for flavoring and as a sort of chewing substance like gum. Lumber is a direct product of Eastern White Pines. Pine wood can be used for the interior composition of homes as well as for furniture and smaller novelties due to its durable yet flexible nature. Pines are also relatively cost effective as they require little upkeep and can withstand harsh conditions. This is also why having a Christmas tree farm can be a financially advantageous business venture if you have the space and conditions necessary to grow the necessary amount of trees. Pine oil is effective in treating diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and for rheumatic and neuralgic ailments. In addition, it is used in cabinetmaking, furniture, interior finishes, woodenware, matches and lumber. The white pine produces the most valuable softwood lumber in
eastern North America and is used extensively for interior trim, window sashes, door frames and for intricate carpentry. Excellent carving material. Lightweight, soft, even-textured, and easily worked, Eastern White Pine is probably the least resinous of all pines.
Current Research
Mature trees have the ability to move towards aboveground growth. distribution of
diameter to height at breast height (DBH) development to alter the
stem formation (reducing height/diameter ratio (HDR)) to better stand high
wind stress. The reason of the study was to find out if, in the time period of 6-year to
7- period to 12-year-old eastern white pines would counter to seprate fragment levels of
released with , stem-form adjustments through growth-allocation
shifts from height to DBH growth and shorter heightsthan for unreleased trees of the
same DBH (“acclimative stem-form development hypothesis”). Over the 6-year period, white pine seedlings
took over unsynchronized height and DBH growth response patterns that depended
on their prerelease height growth. Height growth of increased development white pines
was shortly reduced. DBH development was enhanced with faster
release intensity. HDR reductions followed a fairly narrow and predictable
trajectory, but HDR values of released trees were not lower than those of
unreleased trees of the same DBH after 6 years. Juvenile white pine
seedlings appear to maintain a balance among aboveground tree parts to enhance
future tree stability, which may be an adaptive trait for moderately
shade-tolerant species(Zenner, E. K. 2008)
diameter to height at breast height (DBH) development to alter the
stem formation (reducing height/diameter ratio (HDR)) to better stand high
wind stress. The reason of the study was to find out if, in the time period of 6-year to
7- period to 12-year-old eastern white pines would counter to seprate fragment levels of
released with , stem-form adjustments through growth-allocation
shifts from height to DBH growth and shorter heightsthan for unreleased trees of the
same DBH (“acclimative stem-form development hypothesis”). Over the 6-year period, white pine seedlings
took over unsynchronized height and DBH growth response patterns that depended
on their prerelease height growth. Height growth of increased development white pines
was shortly reduced. DBH development was enhanced with faster
release intensity. HDR reductions followed a fairly narrow and predictable
trajectory, but HDR values of released trees were not lower than those of
unreleased trees of the same DBH after 6 years. Juvenile white pine
seedlings appear to maintain a balance among aboveground tree parts to enhance
future tree stability, which may be an adaptive trait for moderately
shade-tolerant species(Zenner, E. K. 2008)
Creative Writing
Oh evergreen whose leaves are 3 to 5 inches long,
and their aesthetic beauty sing a song,
a song that whispers through the breeze of fall.
Oh the evergreens that stand so
tall.
Oh evergreen how you decorate my Christmas
with the hint of your existence.
Oh evergreen how you are so generous and giving
you play an important role in keeping us humans living.
When I get the flu you know exactly what to do.
But your generosity doesn't stop there,
The wood of your trunk goes into the crafty work of
homes including door frames and even a dining room chair.
Oh evergreen I could go on and on about all the things
that you do, but I'll just stop here and take the time to
thank you.
and their aesthetic beauty sing a song,
a song that whispers through the breeze of fall.
Oh the evergreens that stand so
tall.
Oh evergreen how you decorate my Christmas
with the hint of your existence.
Oh evergreen how you are so generous and giving
you play an important role in keeping us humans living.
When I get the flu you know exactly what to do.
But your generosity doesn't stop there,
The wood of your trunk goes into the crafty work of
homes including door frames and even a dining room chair.
Oh evergreen I could go on and on about all the things
that you do, but I'll just stop here and take the time to
thank you.
References
ENature (2007). eNature:
FieldGuides: Species Detail. Retrieved from
http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?allSpecies=y&searchText=Pinus%20Strobus&curGroupID=10&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=1
Ethnobotany Fall 2012 Section 002 - Eastern White Pine.
(n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2013, from
http://fa12bio124002.providence.wikispaces.net/Eastern+White+Pine
Lee, C., Chen, H., Hong, Z., Hsieh, C.,
Juan, S., Huang, J., & ... Chen, C. (2013). Chemical Constituents of
Liriodendron tulipifera. Chemistry Of Natural Compounds, 49(2),
398-400. doi:10.1007/s10600-013-0621-1
Living Memorials Project: Healing
Trees. (n.d.). Retrieved October 18, 2013, from
http://www.livingmemorialsproject.net/toolbox/plant/healing_trees/pine.htm
Moerman, D. E. (1998).
Native American ethnobotany. Portland, Or: Timber Press.
Pinus strobus in Flora of North America
@ efloras.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200005357
Pinus strobus White Pine PFAF Plant
Database. Retrieved October 14, 2013, from
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pinus+strobus
Rook, E.(2004, March 4). White Pine, Pinus strobus.
Retrieved from http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/trees/pinusstrob.html
Sieler, J., Jensen, E., Neimiera, A., & Paterson , J. (2012). Pinus strobusFact Sheet.
Retrieved from,
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=54
Utah State University Extension (n.d.).
Pine, Eastern White - USU Tree Browser. Retrieved October 15,
2012, from
http://www.treebrowser.org/index.cfm?controller=final&action=details&key=517&sortby=LatinName
Zenner, E. K. (2008). Short-term changes in Pinus strobus sapling height/diameter ratios following partial release: testing the
acclimative stem-form development hypothesis. Canadian Journal Of Forest
Research, 38(2), 181-189. doi:10.1139/X07-153