Eastern white pine is a tall conifer with soft, flexible needles in bundles of five and long, cylindrical cones. It was heavily logged in colonial times for ship masts and lumber.
Habitat and range
In Maryland, white pine grows in cool, moist woods in the mountains and in scattered piedmont sites, often on north-facing slopes or in ravines. It prefers well-drained, acidic soils.
Uses and significance
The wood is used for lumber, millwork, and construction. White pine is planted for timber and as an ornamental. It provides cover and seeds for wildlife and is a signature tree of northern and montane forests.