White pine (lat. Pinus albicaulis) - a relatively low (up to 21 meters) coniferous tree belonging to the pine family (Pinaceae). This species is often confused with the Bosnian pine (Pinus leucodermis), which grows in Europe, which is due to the similarity of Russian names. In ornamental horticulture, a white pine is often understood precisely as Pinus leucodermis, otherwise known as Geldereich (Pinus heldreichii).
The birthplace of Pinus albicaulis is North America. This plant belongs to the group of so-called stone pines (Cembra). The view was first described in 1863 by Georg Engelman.
Botanical description of white pine
The tree trunk can be straight, curved or twisted, its maximum diameter reaches one and a half meters. The crown has a conical shape, which rounds with age and acquires uneven branching. The bark is very thin, smooth, pale gray, with age becomes lamellar and darkens. The buds are ovoid, light red-brown, from 0.8 to 1 cm in length.
The branches are strong and usually grow from the very beginning of the trunk under a vertical slope (although there are also sprawling shoots). The color of the branches is pale red-brown with light brown. The leaves are long-lasting (5-8 years) and are represented by yellow-green needles, collected in bundles of 5 pieces. The length of the needles is 3-7 cm, and the thickness is 1.5 mm. In most bundles, the leaves converge at one point. The smell of pine needles is sweetish.
Male cones of scarlet color, have a cylindrical shape and reach a length of 10-15 cm, open independently. Female cones are smaller (4-8 cm) and have a symmetrical broad-egg (sometimes almost spherical) shape. They are dull gray to black-purple. Petioles are very short or absent.
Female cones are a favorite treat of some wild animals. Seeds are wingless, edible, chestnut or brown in color, from 7 to 11 mm in length.
Spread
The following regions of Canada and the United States enter the natural habitat of white pine:
- rocky mountains of alberta;
- British Columbia
- Montana;
- Idaho;
- Wyoming;
- cascading mountains of Washington and Oregon;
- isolated intermontane ranges of eastern California and Nevada.
The plant prefers mountain slopes at an altitude of 1300-33700 meters above sea level.
Biological and applied value
In nature, white pine acts as a feed plant for American walnuts, rat squirrels, as well as grizzly bears and baribal. In addition, tree branches are a great place for nests.
A person uses Pinus albicaulis as an ornamental plant that can be planted singly or in groups. It is successfully used to create coniferous landscapes, although in the latter case the most popular varieties are Pinus leucodermis (especially dwarf ones).
Decorative qualities and features of cultivation
In the photo, the white pine looks like a beautiful evergreen tree with lush needles. It is characterized by a slow growth rate. This species is noteworthy in that it is unpretentious, has high winter hardiness, which makes it convenient for cultivation. Great for landscaping rocky gardens.
optimal conditions for growth| soil type | sandy loam or loamy |
| priming | dry or moderately moist, with a pH value of 5.5-6.5, preferably fresh and drained |
| attitude to lighting | open sun or partial shade. |
Baltic pine has a similar set of decorative properties.
Varieties of white pine (Bosnian)
There are about 10 varieties of Pinus leucodermis, among which there are both full-fledged trees and low varieties. The latter include Aureospicata, Satellit, Smidtii and others.
The dwarf variety of white pine bred in England is very popular - Compact jam, which is characterized by a beautiful, symmetrical and very dense egg-shaped crown. The needles are dark green, long and spiky. The branches are short and grow vertically. The straight trunk is covered with scaly gray-brown bark.
Such a pine tree has a very small annual growth (25-50 mm) and does not rise above 120 cm in 10 months. The maximum height of the plant is 350 cm, and the crown diameter does not exceed two meters. The variety is characterized by drought tolerance and does not tolerate stagnation of moisture. For growth, he prefers well-lit and protected from cold winds places, but does not require shelter in the winter season.
Among the varieties of Pinus leucodermis there is an even more dwarf variety - the white Schmidt pine, whose height does not exceed 0.5 meters. The shoots of this plant are short and very densely arranged, the crown has a spherical shape.