Page 29 - Forest Trees of Maine

PINE

broad arrow; such trees to be reserved the trunk is commonly free of live
for use in the Royal Navy. The term branches for a considerable portion of its
King’s Arrow Pine originated from this length. Old forest trees have a broad and
policy. Most of the accessible virgin pine somewhat irregular head. The branches
was cut by 1850. Lumber production are horizontal and in regular whorls,
reached its peak in 1909, but white pine usually of 5 each. Very old trees often
is still a valuable species that contributes become very irregular and picturesque.
greatly to the economy of the state. The trunk tapers gradually, and the tree
White pine occurs in all localities often attains a height of 100 feet.
in the state in moist situations, on Commonly it is from 70–80 feet tall,
uplands and on sandy soil, but develops and has a diameter of 1–3 feet.
best on fertile, well-drained soils. On The bark of young trees is smooth
sandy soil it often becomes established and thin, green with a reddish-brown
in pure or nearly pure stands. It is one of tinge overall, or brown in spots. On old
the major species planted in the state. trees, it is from 1–2 inches thick, very
The tree grows rapidly both in height dark, and divided into broad, flat ridges
and diameter, making an average growth by shallow fissures.
in height of 1 foot or more each year. Leaves are in clusters of 5, flexible,
When growing in the open, the 3–5 inches long, bluish-green but
young tree is symmetrical and conical in whitish on one side. The papery sheath
outline except when deformed by white at the base of the new needle clusters
pine weevil. White pine weevil is an falls in late August.
insect that kills the topmost shoot, and The cones are 4–8 inches long,
often causes the tree to have multiple cylindrical and borne on a long stalk.
stems and a round profile. In the forest, They take 2 years to mature, and open to
a white pine tree has a narrow head; and discharge the seed shortly after ripening

EASTE
EASTE RN WH I TE P INERN WH I TE P INE 27