C

Often referred to as “softwoods”, conifers belong to the group of plants

known as the gymnosperms. Conifers are cone bearing trees and shrubs

that have needle or scale like leaves and resinous wood. All of Maine’s

conifers except for tamarack are evergreen. There are 16 species of conifer

native to Maine, 13 of these are trees and three others are more commonly

found as shrubs. Several other species of conifer native to other parts of

the world are commonly planted in Maine for both ornamental and timber

production purposes. Photo location: Penobscot Experimental Forest, Bradley, Maine.

Eastern White PinePinus strobus

Red PinePinus resinosa

Pitch PinePinus rigida

N E E D L E S

NUMBER/CLUSTER 5 2 3

DESCRIPTION Slender, flexible, 3–5 inches Straight, flexible, 4–6 inchesStout, not flexible, usually twisted,

grow at right angles to the branchlets, 3–5 inches

COLOR Bluish-green Dark green Dark yellow-green

SHEATH Shed in late August Persists Persists

C O N E S

LENGTH 4–8 inches 11⁄2–21⁄4 inches 11⁄2–31⁄2 inches

DESCRIPTIONBorne on a long stalk; thin smooth

scales without prickles

Borne on short stalks; scaleswithout prickles. Several basal

scales remain on branches when cone drops.

Borne on a short stalk, havingprickles on the cone scales, flat-

based when completely open.Often remain on branches

for 10–12 years.

Jack PinePinus banksiana

Scots PinePinus sylvestris

N E E D L E S

NUMBER/CLUSTER 2 2

DESCRIPTIONStout, flat, twisted,

3⁄4–11⁄2 inchesStout, stiff, twisted,

11⁄2–3 inches

COLORLight yellow-green, later

becoming dark greenDull blue-green

SHEATH Persists Persists

C O N E S

LENGTH 11⁄2–2 inches 1–2 inches

DESCRIPTION

Much curved inward, without stalk. Prickles minute.

Often remain on branches for many years.

Egg shape, borne on a short stalk,scales with occasional prickles.

25

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P I N E S

P The Important Distinctions

26 E A S T E R N W H I T E P I N E

Eastern white pine has been animportant tree for the people of

what is now the State of Maine forhundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Therefore, it is no coincidence thatMaine has come to be known as the“Pine Tree State.” Recognizing itsimportance, in 1895 the Maine legisla-ture designated the “Pine Cone andTassel” as Maine’s official floralemblem. In 1945 the legislatureResolved: “That the white pine tree be,and hereby is, designated the officialtree of the State of Maine.”

The availability and high qualityof white pine lumber has played animportant part in the development andeconomy of Maine since 1605, whenCaptain George Weymouth of theBritish Royal Navy collected sampleshere and brought them back to Englandfor display.The shortage of ship masts inEurope led to England’s Broad ArrowPolicy in 1691, whereby pines 24 inchesor more in diameter within 3 miles ofwater were blazed with the mark of the

E W P Pinus Strobus L.

Maine is known asthe “Pine Tree State”and the Eastern white pineis the official tree of theState of Maine.

E A S T E R N W H I T E P I N E

27E A S T E R N W H I T E P I N E

broad arrow; such trees to be reservedfor use in the Royal Navy. The termKing’s Arrow Pine originated from thispolicy. Most of the accessible virgin pinewas cut by 1850. Lumber productionreached its peak in 1909, but white pineis still a valuable species that contributesgreatly to the economy of the state.

White pine occurs in all localitiesin the state in moist situations, onuplands and on sandy soil, but developsbest on fertile, well-drained soils. Onsandy soil it often becomes establishedin pure or nearly pure stands. It is one ofthe major species planted in the state.The tree grows rapidly both in heightand diameter, making an average growthin height of 1 foot or more each year.

When growing in the open, theyoung tree is symmetrical and conical inoutline except when deformed by whitepine weevil. White pine weevil is aninsect that kills the topmost shoot, andoften causes the tree to have multiplestems and a round profile. In the forest,a white pine tree has a narrow head; and

the trunk is commonly free of livebranches for a considerable portion of itslength. Old forest trees have a broad andsomewhat irregular head. The branchesare horizontal and in regular whorls,usually of 5 each. Very old trees oftenbecome very irregular and picturesque.The trunk tapers gradually, and the treeoften attains a height of 100 feet.Commonly it is from 70–80 feet tall,and has a diameter of 1–3 feet.

The bark of young trees is smoothand thin, green with a reddish-browntinge overall, or brown in spots. On oldtrees, it is from 1–2 inches thick, verydark, and divided into broad, flat ridgesby shallow fissures.

Leaves are in clusters of 5, flexible,3–5 inches long, bluish-green butwhitish on one side. The papery sheathat the base of the new needle clustersfalls in late August.

The cones are 4–8 inches long,cylindrical and borne on a long stalk.They take 2 years to mature, and open todischarge the seed shortly after ripening

E A S T E R N W H I T E P I N E

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28 E A S T E R N W H I T E P I N E

in late August through September of thesecond season.

The wood is light in color anddurable, except when in prolonged con-tact with moisture. It is soft, not heavyand is easily worked. The wood is usedextensively for interior trim, doors, win-dows, cabinetmaking, sash and doormanufacture, patternmaking, furniture,small building construction, interior andexterior finish, and boat planking.

Pine furniture is always popular inNorth America. Lumber from Maine is

Eastern white pine leaves (needles) are 3–5 inches longand in clusters of 5.

Young bark (left) and old bark (right).

N AT I O N A L A N D M A I N E R E G I S T E R O F

B I G T R E E S 2 0 0 8Eastern White Pine

Circumference: 229''Height: 125'

Crown Spread: 72'Location: Morrill

Nominator: C. Brown 2004

sold from Newfoundland to Washing-ton state and south into Mexico. Lowergrade boards have clear sections cut tosize for sale. These clear short piecesmay also be finger-jointed to createlonger lengths of clear wood. Any part ofa pine not making log grade is used forpulp. Ceiling tiles and paper are madefrom this pulp.

White pine has been an important timber tree in Maine for more than 300 years.

30

Red or Norway pine,though common,is found only locally throughout

the state, growing on dry, rocky ridges,or light, sandy soil. Stands are usuallyscattered through forests of otherspecies.The beautiful “Cathedral Pines”occur near Eustis.

Young trees often have branchesextending to the ground and form aconical outline. Later, the head is round-ed and picturesque. Branches are gen-erally horizontal. It attains a height of60–80 feet, and a diameter of 2–3 feet.The trunk is straight and tapers slowly.Red pine is not tolerant of shade.

The reddish-brown bark is dividedinto broad, flat ridges by shallow fissures.

The leaves are arranged in clustersof two. They are 4–6 inches long, darkgreen, soft and flexible. When doubledbetween the fingers, they break cleanly,at a sharp angle.

The cones are egg-shaped and areabout 2 inches long. They lack pricklesand are borne on short stalks. The base

R P Pinus Resinosa Soland.

The red pine is named forits reddish-brown bark andpale red heartwood.

R E D P I N E

R E D P I N E 31

of fallen cones is hollow.They mature inthe fall of the second season and usuallyremain on the branches until the follow-ing summer. Cones may be collected forseeds from September throughout thefall and winter, due to their gradualrelease of seed.

The wood is a little heavier andharder than white pine, close-grained,and fairly strong. It is used for lumber,poles, piles, building construction andpulp. It is treated readily with woodpreservatives, and therefore is a locally-produced alternative to southern yellowpine. Older stands produce large, high-value poles.

Owing to the reddish bark andthe pale red heartwood, the name “redpine” is appropriate.The name “Norwaypine” refers to its original finding nearNorway, Maine. Since it implies thatthe tree is foreign in origin, use of thisname is discouraged.

The reddish-brown bark of the red pine is dividedinto broad, flat ridges by shallow fissures.

M A I N E R E G I S T E R O F B I G T R E E S 2 0 0 8Red Pine Circumference: 88'' Height: 96' Crown Spread: 36' Location: Weld Nominator: M. Gill 1988

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32 J A C K P I N E

J P Pinus banksiana Lamb.

Jack or gray pine grows on sandy,rocky, shallow acidic soils. It is known

to occur naturally at Alamoosook Lakein Orland, Schoodic Point in WinterHarbor, Great Wass Island in Beals,Matagamon Lake, Cliff Lake, LobsterLake, and in the areas south and westof Jackman.

The spreading branches are longand flexible, and form an open headsymmetrical in outline. At maturity thetree is about 50–60 feet tall and 8–10inches in diameter. Trees in the coastalpopulations tend to be much shorterand usually have a picturesque, gnarledlook. Cones are often produced whenthe trees are only a few years old.

The cones of thejack pine usually remain closed for several years unlessexposed to extreme heat, andoften do not fall for 12–15 years.

33J A C K P I N E

The bark is thin with irregularrounded ridges. It is dark brown with aslight tinge of red. The leaves are inclusters of two, and are ¾ to 1½ inch-es long. They are stout, yellow-greenat first, dark green later, rather flat, andtwisted at the base. The cones require 2years to mature, are rather slender,1½–2 inches long, lack a stalk and arecurved. The scales have minute prick-

les that are often deciduous. The conesusually remain closed for several yearsunless exposed to extreme heat, andoften do not fall for 12–15 years.

The wood is moderately hard,heavy, and close-grained. It is usedmostly for pulp; historically it was usedfor firewood and box boards.

Jack pines growing on thecoast in eastern Maine areoften stunted and gnarled.

Jack pine cones are curved and persist onthe tree for many years.

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34 P I T C H P I N E

P P Pinus rigida P. Mill.

P itch pine grows on sandy barrensor plains, and on gravelly soil of

the uplands. It is quite common in thesouthern part of the state, on the sandplains near Brunswick and Oxford andon Mt. Desert Island.

Branches are horizontal, rigid,contorted and form an open crown.Pitch pine attains a diameter of 1–2feet, and a height of only 30–40 feet.The trunk tapers rapidly and generallyis straight. Often the tree producescones when small. It is the only nativepine that will resprout when damagedby such factors as fire.

The bark is rough, even on youngstems and branches. On old trees, it isirregularly divided into continuousbroad flat ridges, and is deep gray orreddish-brown.

The leaves are in clusters of three,and are 3–5 inches long. They are darkyellow-green and stiff, standing atright angles to the branch.

The cones require 2 years tomature, are 1½–3½ inches long, borne

Pitch pine wood is used forconstruction lumber, pulp andfire-starting “fat wood.”

35P I T C H P I N E

on short, hardly-noticeable stalks, andare often produced in clusters. A sharp,rigid, curved prickle is produced onthe tip of each scale. The cones opengradually during midwinter. Seeds arereleased over a period of several years.Cones often remain on the trees 10–12years. Fresh cones are used in wreathdecorations.

The wood is moderately heavy,strong, hard and stiff. It is used forconstruction lumber, pulp and fire-starting “fat wood.” In the past, con-siderable quantities of pitch and tur-pentine were obtained from this tree;these commodities were referred to as“naval stores,” a term originally appliedto the resin-based components used inbuilding and maintaining wooden sail-ing ships. Today naval stores are usedin the manufacture of soap, paint, var-nish, shoe polish, lubricants, linoleumand roofing material.

M A I N E R E G I S T E R O F B I G T R E E S 2 0 0 8Pitch Pine Circumference: 97'' Height: 80' Crown Spread: 44' Location: Poland

Pitch pine cones have a sharp prickle atthe end of each scale.

Pitch pine often has needles growing directlyout of the trunk. This plus its clusters of3 needles make it easy to recognize.

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mature trees is gray to red-brown andhas irregular ridges and furrows.

The leaves are needles in clustersof two. They are 1½–3 inches long,stout, stiff, twisted, dull blue-greenwith distinctive lines of stomata.

The cones are 1½–2 inches longand numerous, even on comparativelyyoung trees; the scales are armed withsmall, blunt spines.

The wood is similar in characterto red pine; however, due to its poorform, in Maine it is seldom used forlumber. It is occasionally used for pulpand fuel.

36 S C O T S P I N E

S (S ) P Pinus sylvestris L.

Scots pine is the most widelydistributed pine in the world but

is not native to Maine. A native ofnorthern Europe and Asia, it growsnaturally from Scotland almost to thePacific Ocean and from above theArctic Circle in Scandinavia to theMediterranean. In parts of its nativerange, Scots pine grows to be a talltimber tree in dense stands. There aremany strains of this species; the treesthat have been planted in Maine oftenhave very poor growth habits. This,plus its susceptibility to snow, porcu-pine and bird injury, makes it undesir-able for timber production here. Scotspine will grow on very poor soils. Somestrains are planted for Christmas trees,and it has been widely used in orna-mental plantings.

The bark in the crown region ofmedium to large trees has conspicuousorange coloration. The lower bark of

M A I N E R E G I S T E R O F B I G T R E E S 2 0 0 8Scots Pine Circumference: 124'' Height: 60' Crown Spread: 45' Location: Falmouth

Scots pine, as the name suggests,is not native to Maine.