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 Grove is made up of eastern white pines that were planted in 1907, which was likely the oldest pine plantation in Canada.

White pine needles are soft and flexible. 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.

Return to tree listings page [1]

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.