White Pine Lumber Facts
Native to both the eastern U.S and eastern Canadian provinces, white pines (Pinus Strobus) are evergreen conifers that come from the North American pine family (Pinaceae) and are considered both versatile and valuable. Its rapid growth rate makes this evergreen just as practical today for landscaping, reforestation and timber choices as it did during colonial times. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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White pines are the tallest of all the North American pines, ranging anywhere from 150 to 240 feet high. The pilgrims highly prized them for being lightweight and strong, as did their trading partners. Early American carpenters found the lumber easy to shape and finish, and they used it extensively in various building structures. White pine qualities enhanced both speed and strength of the British Royal navy fleet and became the preferred material for their ships. Withholding of the very best white pines from the New Englanders was another issue that brought forth the Revolutionary War against the British.
Location
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While located naturally in the eastern United States and Canada, these particular pines do not bode well in urban environments. Salt sprays used during winter months, alkaline ph soils, clay soils and poorly drained soils rob these pines of their iron and nitrogen. As a result, branching is reduced. Needles become yellowed (chlorosis) and shortened, and vigor decreases. Ideally, thriving white pines need full to partial sun and moist, acidic and well-drained soils.
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Wildlife Value
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Various wildlife benefit tremendously from this evergreen, as the bark, foliage and seeds are foraged upon by forest wildlife. Black bear mothers and their cubs climb these trees to shelter themselves from potential harm. Other animals--such as the beavers, birds, deer, hare, mice, porcupines, pocket gophers and rabbits--benefit from this evergreen as well.
Applications
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White pines are harvested for various applications, such as: cabinets, Christmas trees, doors, extracts, furniture, matches, moldings, paneling, pulp (for paper production), siding and trim. The lumber is for making telephone poles, and it's pressure treated with a creosote chemical preservative to further in increase its durability and withstand destruction from fungi and insects.
Regeneration
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White pines are beneficial and well-suited for shelterwood regeneration. Mature white pines are left on a dedicated site to provide seed and shelter for baby seedlings. Shaded areas of the forest (understory) are periodically burned to keep vegetation under control. The straightest and most disease-free white pines are selected and marked with paint for shelterwood regeneration, while the remaining trees are harvested for timber. Eventually, shelterwood trees are harvested and sold, making room for younger seedlings.
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