Pinus strobus Pinus strobus, also known as Eastern White Pines are a predominately larger species of pine indigenous

to eastern North America. Ranging from the far reaches of northern Newfoundland to as west as Minnesota and as south as northern Georgia, Eastern White Pines have been a large contributor to various ecosystems across North America. Eastern White Pines prefer well-drained soil and cool, humid climates. However, they also grow in boggy and rock areas. In mixed forest areas, Eastern White Pines dominate over all other trees and provides food and shelter for many forest birds and small animals. Like all other members of the white pine family, Eastern White Pines needles tend to be in fascicles of five. The flexible needles are blue-green in color and vary from two to five inches in length. Eastern White pinecones have a slender figure vary from three to six inches in length. Eastern White Pines can grow well past 100 feet (200 feet if undisturbed) in height and 1.8 meters in diameter. Young Eastern White Pine bark is a think smooth gray layer with various patches; later becoming thicker, red-brown to brown-gray, and with scaly rounded long ridges. Initially, as a young white pine, the crown is conical; later developing into various upturning branches. White Pine needles contain five times the amount of Vitamin C and are also a source of reservatrol, antibiotics produced by plants when under attack by bacteria or fungi. The soft, inner white bark can be pounded to be used as flour or as an addition to other starchy substances. The Ojibwe Indians once stewed the young staminate cones with meat. The finished concoction was said to be sweet and not pitchy. Pine resin has been used as a method of waterproofing baskets, pails, and boats. The sap can be made into turpentine and also has a number of antimicrobials (a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms) that can be used to treat wounds. Pine tar, made from putting roots, branches, or small trunks in a partially smothered flame, is also another important substance created with many effects. A mixture of pine tar with beer can be used to remove tapeworms and nematodes while also pine tar mixed with sulfur can treat dandruff. During the era of naval voyages, Eastern White Pines were extensively used as masts due to their high quality of wood; many were marked with a broad arrow, a symbol to show they were reserved for the British Royal Navy. In 1620, the species was imported into England by Captain George Weymouth, who planted it widely for a future timber crop, but the attempt had little success because of White Pine Blister Rust disease. Because of its resistance to fire, it is possible to re-seed burned areas. However, in pure stands the mature trees no longer have branches on the lower of the trunk. This leaves all mature trees susceptible to the white pine weevil and White Pine Blister Rust. Eastern White Pine is the provincial of Ontario and the state tree of Maine and Michigan. The pine cone and tassel is also the state flower of Maine. Due to Pinus strobes being an evergreen tree, the connotation is exactly as it is: the trees remain green year round.