Due to its importance, the number of naturally occurring white pine trees that once covered much of the central and eastern parts of Canada has significantly declined. Extensive logging operations throughout the 18th and 19th centuries to produce durable, knot-free wood products such doors, panelling, cabinets, furniture and ship masts sadly led to a loss of many old-growth white pine forest stands.
The widespread decline of such an ecologically significant tree, however, has led to an increase in restoration of the white pine and today, it can be found growing throughout much of the Great Lakes region, southern Quebec and the Maritime provinces. It even holds the noteworthy designation of Ontario’s provincial tree!
The white pine plays an important role in supporting biodiversity in both urban and rural forests. It provides food, shelter, protection from predators and nesting sites to several native insects, small mammals and songbirds, including the white-breasted nuthatch, evening grosbeak, pine warbler and the yellow-bellied sapsucker. It's large size also offers the perfect perch for ospreys and bald eagles.
The white pine is also best known for its growth form. Young white pines have a symmetrical, conical shape. As they mature, their straight trunk and high canopy with horizontal, upturned branches gives them a unique and beautiful windswept look. The bark is smooth and grey-green when young and thick, scaly, furrowed and reddish-brown when mature.
White pine needles (leaves) are evergreen (stay on the tree year-round) and grow in bundles along the branches. The needles are blueish green, long, soft and flexible and found in bundles of five. A great way to identify a white pine is by its needle bundles – just remember five needles in a bundle and five letters in the word “white!” If you’re looking for a immunity boost, white pine needles can be used to brew a tea rich in vitamins.
The white pine is monoecious, meaning it has both male and female reproductive organs on the same tree. These flower-like structures emerge in late spring and grow into hardened structures that we recognize as cones. These long, brown, woody, often curved cones with rounded scales mature in late summer and persist on the tree throughout the fall and winter, offering a great late-season snack for #backyardbiodiversity!
As you can see, the white pine’s unique history, stunning seasonal features and ecological significance make it an excellent backyard tree. For more information on the white pine and other species, check out our Backyard Tree Planting Program and sign up for a consultation with one of our arborists today!
Brenna Anstett is the Residential Planting Programs Manager and an ISA certified arborist at LEAF.
LEAF offers a subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program for private property. The program is supported by the City of Toronto, the Regional Municipality of York, the City of Markham, the Town of Newmarket, the Regional Municipality of Durham, the Town of Ajax, the City of Oshawa, the City of Pickering, the Township of Scugog, the Town of Whitby, Ontario Power Generation and Ontario Trillium Foundation.
