Pinus strobus
As far as pines go, eastern white pine is quite distinctive among its peers. It’s branches “whirl” out laterally, creating characteristic tiers of branches which give the tree a plume-like appearance. Additionally, Pinus strobus can grow to be gigantic, towering over 200 feet. One such specimen resides within the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, currently standing at a staggering 188 ft. (it was almost 210 ft. before Hurricane Opal broke its top in 1995). The Iroquois Confederation, or Haudenosaunee, named the eastern white pine as the “Tree of Peace” and use it as a symbol for the Six Nations.
Family: Pinaceae
Foliage: Evergreen
Mature height range: 80-100 ft., but are known to grow +200 ft.
Light exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil preference: Well-drained, sandy soils
Tolerance: Tolerates a wide variety of habitats; tolerates fire well
Wildlife: Bark is consumed by small mammals, seeds are consumed by birds and mammals
