Of all the pines, white pine is my favorite. I like the way they look growing in the a forest and in my garden, but most of all I treasure the cones and branch tips for holiday decorations. The cones are long and their bracts often tipped with a white resin that give them a snow-brushed look. They are produced in abundance every 3-5 years, and fall from the tree just in time for the holidays. The medium long needles are slender and flexible and so give a light and feathery touch to any arrangement of greens. White pines make excellent Christmas trees because they hold their needles for a long time and are especially good for people with allergies because they have very little fragrance. They thrive in cool humid climates but survive and look beautiful in Maryland as well as the Piedmont of North Carolina. 
Type: Coniferous, evergreen tree.
Outstanding Features: Delicate blue-green needles; long (3-6”), slender cones.
Foliage: Two to five inch long needles are borne in clusters of 5 (rarely 3-4).
Form: Top conical when young, but develops horizontal look with maturity.
Growth Rate: Rapid.
Size: 150’ x 40’ W.
Light: Full sun.
Soil: Prefers average, sandy, well drained-soil but will tolerate less.
Hardiness: Zones 3-8.
Pests and Diseases: White pine weevil (Pissodes strobi), white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola).
Propagation: Seed, grafting.
Comments: Slower growing varieties have been developed for use in gardens.
Karen Meyers