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  • Pinus strobus
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Pinus strobus

Object Details

Description
The state tree of Maine and Missouri, the eastern white pine was logged heavily for ship masts in the 1600, 1700, and 1800s. While few old-growth stands remain, this is still the largest conifer found in eastern and upper Midwest forests.
The eastern white pine is listed as Rare in Indiana.
Hardiness
-40 - 10 F
Ethnobotanical Uses
Used as a Christmas tree. Once heavily logged for masts.
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Accession Number
2011-2724A
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Life Form
Evergreen tree
Average Height
50-80'
Bark Characteristics
Gray to gray-green, furrowed to scaly when old. New stems are slightly silvery and smooth.
Cone Characteristics
Light brown, curved with pointed tip, pendant, and often cluster in upper third of tree. 6-8" long.
Foliage Characteristics
Thin, flexible, light green needles with serrated margins and 2 stomatal lines on underside. 5 needles per fasicle. 4" long.
Structure
Young: conical Mature: loses defined shape
Range
C and E Canada to Guatemala
Habitat
Mixed forests with other conifers and broad-leaved trees; 50-2200 meters
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
Common Name
Eastern White Pine
Northern White Pine
White Pine
Soft Pine
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Pinidae
Order
Pinales
Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Pinus
Species
strobus
Topic
Trees
Living Collections
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2011-2724A
Usage
Not determined
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ax7e1c3558a-66b8-4abd-aff4-109a786be142
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

Our entrance is on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE.

street map of Postal museum

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