One species of the genus of pines is Pinus strobus, or eastern white pine. Its natural habitat is northeastern North America. The tree was brought to Europe by the British naval officer George Weymouth at the beginning of the 18th century, later this plant was named after him.
It is believed that weymouth pine previously accounted for almost 80% of coniferous forests in the United States. Like all conifers, it was valued for practical wood that was easy to process, which was why for several centuries it was cut down in large quantities for shipbuilding and building purposes.
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White pine can grow at sea level and at an altitude of up to 1,500 m above it, prefers a well-moistened cool climate, sandy and loamy soils, is quite shade-tolerant and frost-resistant. White pine is less demanding on light than its kindred black or ordinary. Not afraid of high snow piles, smoke or gas contamination. But sharply continental conditions with constant winds and dry air are destructive for a tree. White pine and too saline soils cannot stand. The moderate latitudes of Russia are quite suitable for its breeding, however, in severe frosts - above 25 ° C - there is a risk of freezing. Other conifers, linden, hazel, maple, and beech are best suited for the neighborhood.
In the natural environment, Pinus strobus lives up to 400 years. Tree trunks extend up to 40–70 m in height, reaching a diameter of 1–1.8 m. On average, most specimens grow 25–37 m in size. The bark at a young age is light gray in color, fairly smooth, and darkens in adult plants, thickens and becomes covered by longitudinal deep cracks. The tree branches diverge from the trunks horizontally or slightly upwards, forming a conical openwork crown characteristic of many conifers.
In the first decades after the Weymouth pine planting, it grows quite rapidly: by the age of 35–40 years it reaches a height of 17–20 m. Even larch is inferior to it in this. In the subsequent period, the growth rate slows down.
With age, the regular pinnacle crown of pines expands and rounds.
Young shoots of the tree are flexible, greenish, slightly pubescent. Egg-shaped kidneys up to 0.5 cm in size have a brownish color, gently smell of resin. Needles of bluish or gray-green hue, thin and long - about 7-10 cm, can be slightly bent, located in bunches of 5 pieces. At the base of the needles are slightly lighter, they have serrated edges and sharp tips, but they are soft and elastic. On the branches of the needles lasts up to 3 years, then is gradually replaced by a new one.
The male cones of the Weymouth pine are small, not more than 1.5 cm, elliptical in shape, yellow. Female ones are cylindrical, elongated, 3-4 cm thick, about 10-12 cm long, brownish-brown, grow in clusters hanging on short cuttings. They look like spruce in shape, ripen in September, and fall almost immediately after opening. The seeds are reddish, 0.5 cm in size, equipped with small wings.
Characteristics and application of wood
The wood of eastern white pine is inferior to ordinary in strength and hardness, as well as in resistance to shock loads and compression. The disadvantages of the breed include low biostability - the material is easily affected by the fungus. The advantage of wood is low shrinkage and the absence of deformation in the process. Density in dry form is about 420 kg / cubic meter.
A characteristic feature of white pine is the very light color of sapwood. The core array differs slightly - light yellow or beige. The texture is smooth, fine, with straight fibers, resin passages are narrow and few. It is a beautiful, uniform material with a matte sheen on the cuts.
Weymouth pine perfectly lends itself to all types of processing: sawing, cutting, grinding, grinding, gluing, impregnation with antiseptics, primers, paints. It holds nails, staples and screws well.
Traditionally, this material was used in shipbuilding, the construction of buildings for short operation. White pine is well suited for the manufacture of furniture, interior decoration. Of it make parts of musical instruments, drawing boards, models of sailboats, picture frames.
Varieties
The decorative qualities of white pine inspired breeders to breed its various varieties, suitable for landscaping parks, decorating gardens, squares and front gardens. There are more than a dozen varieties of weymouth pine for landscape design. Among them:
- Alba It is suitable for planting over large areas, as it has large sizes: an adult tree reaches 20 m in height, the crown is wide, pyramidal or asymmetrical, needles about 7 cm long, silver-green in color.
- Blue Sheg. A dwarf variety suitable for landscaping small areas. An adult tree grows to 120 cm, the crown is spherical and very dense. The needles are long, of a beautiful bluish-green color. Blue Sheg loves the sun and moisture, is frost-resistant.
- Makopin. Slow-growing shrub variety, rises by 5–6 cm per year. During life it reaches 2 m. The crown is irregular, sprawling, saturated green. Cones are very large - up to 20 cm. The plant tolerates a dense shadow well, takes root on scanty soils.
- Radiata. This is a small copy of white pine. An adult tree extends up to 2.5–4 m, the annual growth is not more than 12 cm. The crown at a young age is narrow pyramidal, later acquires a spherical shape. The needles are long - up to 10 cm, of a bluish-green color. Radiata is not afraid of snow, winds and frosts, tolerates haircuts.
- Fastigiata. These trees grow rapidly, in a year trunks and branches are extended by 20 cm. The crown has a neat, columnar shape, the needles are very thick, silver-green. The variety is considered universal, as it tolerates any climatic conditions, winds, frosts, direct sunlight and deep shadow.
- Minimus Dwarf shrub with a height of not more than 80 cm, in width can grow up to 1.5 m. Suitable for lovers of rare decorative flora. The needles of the plant during the year can change color, becoming from yellowish-green almost turquoise. The plant is frost-resistant, but very sensitive to adverse environmental conditions: it does not tolerate dirty air.
- Pendula. Variety with an original hanging crown. The branches of the tree are sparse and arched, can spread along the ground. The needles are dark green, dense. In height, the pendula grows up to 3-4 m. This pine tree is suitable for decoration of alpine slides in the gardens.
- Louis. Pinus strobus louie is distinguished by its bright lemon needles. In the shaded places, her needles are simply light green. A mature tree can reach 6 m in height, the crown is pyramidal, compact, dense.
- Pumila. A small ornamental shrub with a height and width of the crown of about 100-150 cm. It has a spherical shape. The needles are emerald-turquoise, up to 10 cm long. It grows slowly - about 6–8 cm per year. It is unpretentious to soil nutrition and shade-tolerant.
Only experienced breeders can do the grafting of cuttings on their own. For breeding, it is better to use ready-made seedlings.
Landing
When deciding to purchase and plant a Weymouth pine on a site, remember that this tree is not resistant to damage by a fungus. It is advisable to avoid its proximity to mountain ash, gooseberries or currants.
The price of decorative seedlings of varieties of white pine in nurseries is 2000-4000 rubles. When buying, you need to carefully examine the root system and condition of the needles. Sluggish yellowed needles and dried earth at the base of the handle indicate the unsuitability of the material.
When planting, it is recommended to fertilize with nitrogen fertilizers.In the first months, the trees require frequent and plentiful watering - 15 liters of water per week. From the second year of life, a few waterings per season are sufficient in dry weather.
Care
You can fertilize trees 1-2 times: in spring and autumn. For the winter, it is necessary to warm the roots with mulch, and cover the plants themselves in severe frost with burlap.
To prevent rust fungus - the main enemy of white pine - in the summer it is recommended to spray the trees every month with fungicides: Bordeaux liquid, colloidal sulfur solution, horn. Areas with dried or yellowed needles should be immediately cut.