Western White Pine

Pinus monticola

Chris Schnepf, University of Idaho, USA

Taxonomy

Division:: Coniferophyta | - Conifers
Family:: Pinaceae
Genus:: Pinus
Species:: Pinus monticola

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:: Perennial
Growth Habit:: Tree
Height:: More than 40 ft
Light Requirements:: Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:: High
Bloom Months:: apr
Bloom Colors:: Yellow

Native Range

United States: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:: ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Comstock's sallow (Feralia comstocki), Eucosma rescissoriana, Eupithecia annulata, Eupithecia longipalpata, Eupithecia palpata, Gabriola dyari, Imitated Melanolophia (Melanolophia imitata), Linden looper (Erannis tiliaria), Mournful Thorn (Lambdina fiscellaria), ornate eupithecia (Eupithecia ornata), Papestra cristifera, pine shoot moth (Ocnerostoma piniariella), Ponderosa pine seedworm moth (Cydia piperana), Synanthedon novaroensis, Syngrapha celsa, Zimmerman's coneworm (Dioryctria zimmermani), Entomologist's hairstreak (Incisalia eryphon), Menapia White (Neophasia menapia)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:: well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
pH:: 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:: excellent drainage required
Moisture:: dry to moderate
Notes:: prefers soils with good aeration and low fertility

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed into a water/bleach solution for sterilization, followed by a 48 hour running water rinse. Seeds are then placed in cold, moist stratification for 120 days at 1 to 3 C. A gibberellic acid treatment may enhance germination.

Establishment: Cones are collected in August-September or early October, before they open or when they turn brown and scales begin to reflex. Cones should be dried quickly after harvest to prevent mold development. Germination is greater in dark than light. The low germination percentage may have been improved if a longer stratification period was used.

Source: npn.rngr.net