Pinus strobus
A few tall and stately Eastern White Pines can be found in the Ashley Schiff Nature Preserve. Countless insects feed on the bark, needles, and seeds. Mammals—cottontail rabbits, deer, and squirrels—feed on the bark, foliage, and seeds. Birds—nuthatches, chickadees, and warblers—use Eastern White Pine for cover and nesting in addition to eating the seeds. Sapsuckers feed on the bark.
Leaves and Bark
What we call “needles” are leaves! Mature Eastern White Pine needles are 3-5 inches long, flexible, bluish-green, and bundled in groups of five at the ends of branches.
Smooth light brown bark cracks as it ages, and it develops long irregular reddish blocks when mature.
Cones and Tree Form
Straight-trunked Eastern White Pines grow over 100 feet tall. The branches are nearly horizontal and tiered. Generally, one tier is added per year of growth.
Small immature cones cluster at the ends of branches. Long mature 4- to 7-inch cylindrical cones are unmistakable.
