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Home > Pine > Western White Pine

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.

Western White Pine

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
Western White Pine Bark
Western White Pine Cone
Western White Pine Picture
Western White Pine

Quick Information

Also Known as California mountain pine, silver pine, Idaho pine
Tree Type Pine
IdentificationSize: 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 ConditionsSun: 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 ValueThe 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
Western White Pine Monticola
Western White Pine Needles

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.
Western White Pine Bonsai
Image of Western White Pine

References 

  1. https://www.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.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/usda/amwood/258wwhpi.pdf
  7. http://nativeplantspnw.com/western-white-pine-pinus-monticola/

Published on April 8th 2019 by Sahana Kanjilal under Pine.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2024.

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