The White Pine

Ah, the White Pine. A childhood icon if you live in the north. You probably remember looking up at one of these giants, wondering if you would be able to see the whole world if only you were brave enough to climb to the top.

Pinus strobus is sometimes confused with the red pine, but a few characteristics make them easy to tell apart. The simplest way is just to look at the needles. White pines have five to a cluster, and they are thinner and more delicate. The red pine has two to a cluster, and theirs are much more robust.

White pines are very important if you're living outside, especially during the winter moons when green things are more challenging to come by. Their needles are full of vitamin C, and you can keep fortified with that vitamin if you nibble them. I often have one hanging from my mouth when I'm outside, sort of James Dean style, looking rather cool (or totally ridiculous) as I get my daily dose of C. They're a little strong tasting, but you come to like it rather quickly. When I was living in the woods, my companions would often make tea from the needles as well. The inner bark can make a good emergency food, but I wouldn't really recommend it unless you are very, very hungry.

        A White Pine in front of our home.
One of the marvelous things about white pines is that they're great climbing trees. One of my most vivid childhood memories was of an immense white pine. I'd stand underneath, looking up at a tree that I was sure reached to the sky. I never did get to the top, but white pines have nicely-spaced branches that make for good climbs. Just watch out for the sap! It will destroy clothing and will stick to your skin for days.

When it comes to building fires, white pine can be quite useful. It tends to catch easily and will hold a weak flame when other woods will go out. The problem? It won't burn long, its flame is relatively cool, and it's quite smoky. Its best use, then, is as some of the wood right above your tinder -- thin white pine sticks (take these off the ground around the base of the pine) will catch easily and transfer their flame to thicker hardwood sticks placed above them.

Finally, white pines are a boon to wildlife. Especially their seeds, which make great meals for mice, chipmunks, and songbirds. You can try them yourself, but they're pretty little. Still, there's nothing quite like lying under a white pine on a sunny day, trying to extract those miniature seeds until you have enough for a tiny mouthful.
 

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