Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) won’t ever make the short list of plants grown for fall color, but this native species is pretty this time of year nonetheless. The two- and three-year-old needles are now turning yellow and dropping, so don’t worry if your trees have lots of yellow needles. This feature is widely ignored in descriptions of the species, which simply list the plants as evergreen, but the patterns the yellow and green needles create really are quite pretty. So, as long as the needles on the tips of the branches on your white pines are still green, they are healthy and right on schedule.
Above: Yellow and green needles on Eastern white pine make a pretty, if subtle, pattern.
White pines are valuable, long-lived evergreens. This species once covered much of the northeast, and 200- to 220-foot-tall trees were common. Logging from the 18th to early 20th century claimed all but about one percent of virgin stands. Today in cultivation, mature white pines typically reach 75 to 100 feet and spread to 75 feet. Virgin stands still exist in Great Smokey National Park and a few other locations—they are worth visiting! (See “Range” at this link for a list!) Although white pines are happiest in moist, well-drained soil, they tolerate dry to average conditions, sand or heavy clay, pH that runs from 4 to 6.5, and part shade to full sun.
In the landscape or in the wild, white pines provide valuable winter cover for wildlife. Plus, a great many songbirds feed on the seeds and hunt for insects among the branches. Species associated with white pines include nuthatches, jays, finches, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, pine warblers, and pine siskins. White pines also provide nest sites for eagles, owls, and other raptors. Turkeys also use them as roosting sites.
I have to admit that every year I forget when it is that the needles drop, and this post will serve to remind me in years to come. Here, they begin to turn in about the first or second week of October, and drop by the end of the month. The dropped needles make a pretty pattern on the ground, too. I leave the ones that fall right where they are, except for those that land on the driveway, which I gather up and spread on the garden. Otherwise they go to waste on the driveway, and they make wonderful mulch for other growing things.
I’ve been enjoying this beautiful display on my neighbor’s white pine all week. Thanks for sharing, Barbara.
On Sun, Oct 21, 2012 at 11:54 AM, Eastern Shore Gardener wrote:
> ** > Eastern Shore Gardener posted: “Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) > wont ever make the short list of plants grown for fall color, but this > native species is pretty this time of year nonetheless. The two- and > three-year-old needles are now turning yellow and dropping, so dont worry > “
Nice post and useful info, Barbara. Thanks!
P.A.M. Schaller: Barbara,your photos are as lovely as your watercolorflowers. I am going to send the next email to Fran. This week was my last Botanical Illustration Class. Thanks for your kindnesses.and our continuing garden education.