Page 28 - Forest Trees of Maine

E W P Pinus Strobus L.
Maine is known as
the “Pine Tree State”
and the Eastern white pine
is the official tree of the
State of Maine.
26 EASTE
EASTE RN WH I TE P INERN WH I TE P INE
astern white pine has been an
E important tree for the people of
what is now the State of Maine for
hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Therefore, it is no coincidence that
Maine has come to be known as the
“Pine Tree State.” Recognizing its
importance, in 1895 the Maine legisla-
ture designated the “Pine Cone and
Tassel” as Maine’s official floral
emblem. In 1945 the legislature
Resolved: “That the white pine tree be,
and hereby is, designated the official
tree of the State of Maine.”
The availability and high quality
of white pine lumber has played an
important part in the development and
economy of Maine since 1605, when
Captain George Weymouth of the
British Royal Navy collected samples
here and brought them back to England
for display.The shortage of ship masts in
Europe led to England’s Broad Arrow
Policy in 1691, whereby pines 24 inches
or more in diameter within 3 miles of
water were blazed with the mark of the