Western White Pine

Western white pine (Pinus monticola) is a large evergreen conifer native to western North America. It bears slender blue-green needles in bundles of five and long cones, and develops into a substantial canopy tree; see the [USDA Forest Service species account](https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/western-white-pine) and [Oregon State Landscape Plants profile](https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/pinus-monticola). ## Landscape use Choose a location with generous overhead and lateral clearance. Western white pine is naturally associated with mountain forests from California north into British Columbia and inland through the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and nearby ranges. Its large eventual size makes it more suitable for spacious properties, parks, or restoration-style plantings than confined beds. ## Foliage and growth The evergreen needles occur in bundles of five and may appear green to blue-green. Long, slender cones add seasonal character. The USDA Forest Service describes the species as fast-growing and associated with varied forest environments; it reports that deep, porous soils support its best development, while a wider variety of soils can also support the tree. ## Maintenance Plant where the canopy can mature without repeated pruning to clear buildings or utilities. Use a well-drained site and account for local conditions when watering during establishment. Avoid treating this forest tree as a compact ornamental: give it room to develop a broad crown. The [Forest Service account](https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/western-white-pine) provides further information on its range, soils, and growth.