Dwarf Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus (PY-nus STROH-bus nan-uh)

Family: Pinaceae Unknown Shrub (3-15 ft)

Dwarf Eastern white pine is a needled evergreen shrub or small tree in the pine family (Pinaceae). It is the shrubby dwarf form of the Eastern white pine, standing at a fraction of the species' height. It grows 2 to 7 feet tall and 2 to 10 feet wide, with a compact, asymmetrical, flat-topped, dome-shaped habit. Like the species, this cultivar grows best in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil and in cool climates. It can grow in sun or shade but may need protection from strong winds and is not tolerant of salt spray or air pollution. The soft needles can be deep green, yellow-green, silver-green, or blue-green and are 1 to 1.5 in. long with five per cluster. The green 3 to 4 inch cones mature to light brown over a two-year period. “Nana” or dwarf pines are slow-growing and can be used as specimens, in winter, asian, cottage or rock gardens or in meadows. Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Pests include white pine and powdery pine needle aphids, introduced pine sawfly, twospotted spider mites, pine bark adelgid, pine engraver beetles, pine spittlebug, deodar weevil, southern pine sawyer and pine bark beetles. This tree is susceptible to wind damage. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Pinus strobus .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 46 attributes.