Western White Pine

The western white pine is an ornamental species of tree that is blessed with an incredible endurance capacity. The beautiful coniferous tree has an open crown.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Pinus
Subgenus	P. subg. Strobus
Section	P. sect. Quinquefoliae
Subsection	P. subsect. Strobus
Scientific Name	Pinus monticola

Quick Information

Also Known as	California mountain pine, silver pine, Idaho pine
Tree Type	Pine
Identification	Size: 98-165 ft ( 29.8-50.2 ft) sometimes reaching up to 230 ft (70.1 ft) Trunk Diameter: 5-8 ft (1.5-2.4 m) Needles: Saw-like bluish-green needles sizing 2-5 in (5-13 cm) Cones: Slender and long cones sizing 4.7-12.5 in (11.9-31.7 cm); while closed cones are sizing 1.1-1.5 in (3-4 cm), open ones are 1.9-3.1 in (5-8 cm) Seeds: Brown seeds 0.1-0.2 in (0.4-0.7 cm) Twigs: Green and hairy and both lose by the second season Bark: Thin and smooth greenish-gray bark that changes to only gray and black at times with maturity Wood: Cream whitish to yellow
Distribution	Canada and United States (western)
Habitat	Moist valleys at low elevations
Hardiness Zone	4
Growth Rate	Fast
Lifespan	400 years
Growing Conditions	Sun: It can withstand a wide range of conditions Soil: Sandy, rocky, dry, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil Water: It can thrive well in various water conditions
Drought Tolerant	Seeds have a low tolerance level
Disease & Pests	White pine blister rust-induced problems
Reproductive System	Vegetative reproduction
Propagation	Cuttings
Wildlife Value	The oily seeds are foods for nuthatches, jays, grosbeaks, crossbills, woodpeckers, squirrels and chipmunks. The wood and bark are useful for rodents and porcupines. Foliages are for deer and grouse. Large pines and needles are used for nesting and roosting
Uses	The soft and textured wood are used for window and door framesNative Americans used boiled bark to treat tuberculosis, stomach aches, sore and cuts
IUCN Conservation Status	Near Threatened

Interesting Facts

• The scientific name ‘Monticola’ is a Latin word meaning ‘inhabiting mountains’.
• David Douglas, the famous botanist discovered and identified the species on Mount. St. Helens.

References 

1. https://idahoforests.org/content-item/western-white-pine/
2. https://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/en/trees/factsheet/292
3. https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/westernwhitepine.htm
4. https://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Plants/Pinus_monticola.htm
5. https://www.conifers.org/pi/Pinus_monticola.php
6. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pinmot/all.html
7. http://nativeplantspnw.com/western-white-pine-pinus-monticola/