Eastern White - Pine Pinus strobus
Ontario's Provincial Tree! This tall and stately conifer was once a favourite for ship masts as well as furniture. Wind-blown white pines are also a hallmark of northern lakes and, subsquently, landscape paintings. Dense branching provides roosting and nesting sites for Great Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks.
The Arboretum's Century Pine Collection is made up of Eastern White Pines that were planted in 1907 and is likely the oldest pine plantation in Canada.
White Pine needles are softer than most pine needles. Photo by Brian Lacey.
White Pine Needles are in bundles of 5. Photo by Brian Lacey.
Young Eastern White Pines. Photo by Brian Lacey.
Eastern White Pine bark. Photo by Brian Lacey.
Eastern White Pine cones on a bed of needles. Photo by Sean Fox.
Ontario Tree Atlas map of non-planted Eastern White Pines. 1995-1999.
References
Farrar, J.L.. 1995. Trees in Canada. Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd. Toronto. ON. 504 pp.
Kershaw, L. 2001. Trees in Ontario: Including tall shrubs. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. AB. 240 pp
Muma, W. 2011. Ontario Trees and Shrubs. [Online] Available: www.ontariotrees.com
OMNR, 2011. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Ontario Tree Atlas. [Online] Available: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/ClimateChange/2ColumnSubPage/267027.html
OMNR, 2008. Ontario’s Biodiversity: Species at Risk.