Pinus monticola

Pinus monticola, commonly known as Western White Pine, is a large coniferous tree native to western North America. It's valued for its soft, straight-grained wood, towering height, and ecological importance in high-elevation and montane forests.

Basic Information

• Scientific name: Pinus monticola

• Common names: Western White Pine, Silver Pine

• Family: Pinaceae

• Native range: Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies (U.S. & Canada)

• Elevation range: 600–2,400 m (2,000–8,000 ft)

Physical Characteristics

Feature Description Height: 30–70 m (100–230 ft), occasionally taller

Trunk diameter: Up to 2 m (6.5 ft)

Needles: Bundled in fives, soft, slender, bluish-green, 5–10 cm long

Cones: Long and narrow, 12–30 cm, banana-shaped, with thin scales

Bark: Grayish-brown and smooth when young; dark and deeply fissured with age

Ecological Role

• Habitat: Grows in mixed conifer forests with Douglas-fir, Western larch, and Engelmann spruce

• Wildlife value: Seeds are eaten by birds (especially Clark’s nutcracker) and small mammals

• Soil preference: Well-drained, acidic soils; tolerates snow and cold

• Light: Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade when young

Economic and Cultural Uses

• Wood: Light, straight-grained, used for doors, mouldings, panelling, matches, and boxes

• Historic nickname: "King of the Northwest woods"

• Reforestation: Used in timber plantations in its native range

Threats

White Pine Blister Rust (Cronartium ribicola) Invasive fungal disease from Europe; deadly to young and mature trees

Mountain Pine Beetle Can cause widespread mortality, especially during drought or stress

Fire suppression Alters natural regeneration cycles and increases competition from shade-tolerant species

Conservation & Restoration

• Rust-resistant breeding programs are ongoing to restore populations.

• Fire management and thinning are used to promote regeneration and reduce disease spread.