If you had to choose one pine for general landscape use, pinus strobus would be it. The soft, plumy texture of the needles, the wide-spreading, horizontally disposed branches, and hauntingly beautiful asymmetry of ancient trees will make believers out of douters.

Young trees, particularly when prunned, are often full and dense, but they never appear stiff and rigid like Scotch Pine (pinus sylvestris) or Austrian Pine (pinus nigra). Needles range in color from light green to medium green to blue-green and average 2" to 4" (to 5") in length. The needles which occur in fascicles of five, persist for a year and a half before falling off in late summer and fall. White Pine is easily transplanted and fast growing. Seems to withstand prunning better than most pines. A great plant as a specimen, in groupings, screens, and possibly hedges. In the mid west, in high ph soils, iron chlorosis can be a problem. At times, trees die for no explicable reason.

Habit: In youth a symmetrical pyramid of soft, pleasant appearance. In middle-age and on old trees the crown is composed of horizontal and ascending branches.

Growth rate: Fast, 2' to 3' per year in average landscapes.

Mature Size: In an average mid west landscape after 20 years 40' to 50'.

Needles: Light to bluish green, 3" to 5" in length, soft needles fall from tree second year in late summer-early fall.

Texture: Medium-fine, soft.

Cones: 6" to 8" long by 1 1/2" broad, cylindrical, often curved, light brown, mature in autumn of second year.

Culture: Easily transplanted, with wide spreading shallow root system, plant in very well drained soil, elevate root ball, avoid heavy compacted clay in combination with poor drainage. Prefers full sun exposure; will grow in light shade, but will develope a leggy, light branched, less dense and irregular habit.

Diseases and Insects: White Pine Wilt, White Pine Weevil, Bagworm, Pine Bark Aphid.

Cultivars and Varieties:

• Fastigiata; narrowly upright and columnar when young developing a wider character with age as the branches ascend at a 45 degree angle from the trunk; ultimately about three times as tall as wide.

• Nana; catchall term and several different types listed, usually compact, mounded or rounded.

• Pendula; very interesting weeping type with long branches which sweep the ground; must be trained in youth to develope a leader.

Zone: 2 to 8.

Native Habitat: Newfoundland to Manitoba, South to Georgia, West to Illinois and Iowa.