Western White Pine Pinus monticola

The Western White Pine grow among fir and hemlock dense forests, although they aren’t a great competitor for the sunlight that it requires to grow. This species does however benefit from fires that wipe out the more heat sensitive trees such as the Hemlock. This gives it a chance to regenerate from surviving cones, and often out grow other tree species during the regrowth period (Arno & Hammerly. Northwest Trees).

Monticola, of the scientific name, means “mountain dweller,” because it is found in moist, mountainous areas of Washington and Oregon, and into Idaho- where the largest remainging white pine currently exist.

Cones (Female)

5-12 in long
Slender
Brown
Slightly curved, thin scales
Fall in tact
Often covered in pitch/ resin
Cluster near the tips of branches towards the top

Peter Stevens CCA 2.0.

Cones (Male)

Small
Yellow
Grow near the tips of branches

Mark Wagner CCA 2.5.

Leaves (needles)

Grow in bunches of five
Thin
Soft
Whitish blue-green
Very fine teeth

Braden Judson CC0

Bark

Grey-brown
Scale-y
Somewhat thin
Moderately furrowed

Matt Lavin CC BY-SA 2.0.

Distribution of Western White Pines in Washington State

Western White Pine are found primarily in the eastern Cascades, east Rainier, the Gifford Pinchot, and Colville National Forest. They seem to thrive in a variety of habitats that have a wide range of temperatures and annual precipitation.