White Pine
Pinus strobus
PLANT NAME
White Pine
COMMON NAMES
Eastern White Pine, Weymouth Pine
BOTANICAL NAME
Pinus strobus
IDENTIFICATION
A large, evergreen coniferous tree. Needles are soft, flexible, and grow in bundles of five. Cones are slender and elongated, 4 to 8 inches long.
IDENTIFICATION IMAGE
AI ART TO BE GENERATED
PARTS TRADITIONALLY USED
Needles, inner bark (cambium), sap/pitch.
CULINARY USES
Young needles can be steeped to make a vitamin C-rich tea. The inner bark can be dried and ground into a flour used in emergency situations or combined with other flours.
TRADITIONAL USES
White pine needles were traditionally used in teas to support respiratory health and soothe throats. The sticky pitch was used topically on minor scrapes and as a drawing salve for splinters.
GROWING / HARVESTING
Native to eastern North America. Prefers well-drained, sandy loam soils and full sun to partial shade. Needles can be harvested year-round, though spring growth (light green tips) is often preferred for tea.
SAFETY / CAUTION
Always consult your doctor. Generally considered safe, but avoid during pregnancy. Ensure accurate identification, as some unrelated evergreen trees like the Yew (Taxus spp.) are highly toxic.
RELATED PLANTS
Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa), Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris).