White Pine

white pine bough
Courtesy of Steve Gasaway

Do you see that large conifer tree to your left? There are three evergreens here on the Refuge that are abundant, although there are many others as well; jack pine, red pine and white pine. The one to your left is an eastern white pine and it is the largest northeastern conifer. They typically have a straight trunk and crown of horizontal branches with one row being added each year making it become broad and irregular. Sandy soils are the most suitable environment for the evergreen. Did you know that in 1955 the white pine was named Michigan's state tree because of it's huge importance in the lumber industry?