Eastern white pine
Pinus strobus
Soft blue-green foliage gives eastern white pine a wonderfully light texture. It is a generous tree for a generous space, with a very different feel from stiff-needled pines.
- Needles per bundle
- 5
- Typical height
- 50–80 ft
- Typical spread
- 20–40 ft
- USDA hardiness
- 3–8
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is associated with eastern north america. Look for 5 needles per bundle, then confirm with other features and a regional identification guide.
How to recognize eastern white pine
Count five slender, flexible needles in each bundle. Narrow, elongated cones and whorled branching provide additional clues. Five needles alone do not prove the species; other white pines share that trait.
Where it grows well
Full sun and moist, well-drained soil suit it well. Cool, humid conditions are a better fit than hot, difficult urban sites. Road salt, alkaline soils, and some air pollutants can be problems.
Before you plant
Allow for the full crown rather than treating young trees as permanent narrow columns. Check regional advice on white pine blister rust and white pine weevil before choosing a planting site. Retain the natural leader and resist repeated shearing.
Hardiness and size vary with local conditions and provenance. Use the figures here as a starting point, then confirm with a local nursery or extension service. A hardiness zone alone does not establish suitability.
Source & further reading
Source consulted October 21, 2026. This profile is an editorial synthesis, not an on-site assessment.