| Pinus strobus is a large, fast growing evergreen conifer. Needles are borne in fives, 2 to 4 inches long, gray-green. It has a softly pyramidal form, in age it develops horizontal and upreaching branches, very distinctive. Female cones are 6 to 8 inches long, cylindrical, very resinous and light brown, maturing in the fall of their second year. Easily transplanted as the taproot of this species is minimal. Prefers moist, well drained soil but tolerates extremes such as peat bogs, and rocky ridges. Does not tolerate salt or pollution. Large branches often come down in wind storms. Susceptible to White Pine Blister Rust, White Pine Weevil and a bark disease. Very ornamental specimen for parks and large properties. Various cultivars are available. Native from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Georgia and Illnois.
Pines are one of the most diverse groups of evergreen conifers, over 90 species are distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Although most are large trees, they can take a low growing shrub form. Pines have been very important commercially, in timber production, as well as a variety of other manufactured products such as turpentine, and rosin. They tend to be more tolerant of varying soil types and urban environments than either Picea or Abies. Pines tend to develop tap roots, so one should not attempt to transplant them from the wild. All species are grown from seed, with highly variable seed stratification requirements. They can be subject to many diseases, such as damping off, root rot, dieback, blister rust, canker, blight, scale, pine needle miner, pine weevil, bark beetles and pinewood nematode. Well situated plants should be relatively trouble free.
They suffer salt damage along highways, and can get tip burn in areas of high sulfur dioxide or ozone. |
