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Northwest Conifers

Western White Pine – Pinus monticola Speaker

Western white pine

Map

USGS Distribution Map

This tall pine is most easily distinguished by its large banana-shaped cones. It can grow to 200 feet (60 meters).

Needles: Western white pine has 5 needles per bundle. In northwest Oregon and western Washington, you can identify it by counting the needles and noting the elevation. Whitebark pine also has 5 needles per bundle, but usually grows at higher elevations near the timberline. 

Needles

Cones: Western white pine cones have distinctive shape like a banana. The length is banana sized, too. The scales often have a white, sticky resin on them. 

Bark: The bark is gray and breaks into rectangular plates on large trees.

Western white pine

Where it grows: Western white pine grows throughout the Cascades and in the Coast Range at elevations of 3000 to 5000 feet (900 to 1500 meters) in Oregon and down to sea level in northwest Washington. It also grows in the northeast corners of Oregon and Washington, and in northern Idaho. It is the state tree of Idaho. In California, it grows in the Siskiyous and Sierras. 

Western white pine at Hoyt Arboretum

Uses: Although not a major timber tree, western white pine has uses similar to ponderosa pine. It's also used to make wooden matches. The wood is light, attractive, and easy to work, making it ideal for wood carving.

Names: Western white pine was first described and named by David Douglas. Monticola is Latin for "mountain dweller." Other common names: Idaho pine and mountain pine.

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Pollen cones

Cone



© 2011 Ken Denniston