Pinus monticola

Common Names

Western White Pine, Mountain White Pine, Idaho White Pine, Silver Pine, Weeping Western White Pine

Summary

Western white pine is a tall evergreen conifer native to western North America from British Columbia to California, commonly with a slender, conical crown. Needles occur in bundles of five and are blue-green and stiff, persisting 2–3 years; cones are long (12–27 cm) and seeds are winged, with gray bark that is smooth when young and becomes furrowed with age.

In cultivation it prefers cool, moist climates with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, hardy to USDA zones 3a–8b, and is drought-tolerant once established. It is valued for timber production and landscape use, including sash, frames, doors, interior paneling, building construction, ornamental plantings, windbreaks, and reforestation. Propagation is mainly by seed (cones collected late summer to early fall; 60–90 days stratification at 40°F; germination 4–6 weeks); grafting and semi-hardwood cuttings are possible but advanced, and the species is highly susceptible to white pine blister rust requiring rust-resistant stock for planting.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

100-200 feet

Spread

24-30 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy or loamy soil, pH 5.5–7.0.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

4.5-6.8, slightly acidic to neutral soils

Bloom Color

Yellow to Pink

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Blue-Green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color; evergreen (green needles year-round)

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Moderate growth; faster in youth, slowing with maturity; about 1–2 feet per year

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Birds: seeds eaten; roosting and nesting