EASTERN WHITE PINE Pinus Strobus L.

History

Eastern white pine has been an important tree for the people of
what is now the State of Maine for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Therefore, it is no coincidence that Maine has come to be known as the
“Pine Tree State.” Recognizing its importance, in 1895 the Maine legislature designated the “Pine Cone and Tassel” as Maine’s official floral
emblem. In 1945 the legislature Resolved: “That the white pine tree be,
and hereby is, designated the official tree of the State of Maine.”

The availability and high quality of white pine lumber has played an
important part in the development and economy of Maine since 1605, when
Captain George Weymouth of the British Royal Navy collected samples here and brought them back to England for display. The shortage of ship masts in Europe led to England’s Broad Arrow Policy in 1691, whereby pines 24 inches or more in diameter within 3 miles of water were blazed with the mark of the broad arrow; such trees to be reserved for use in the Royal Navy. The term “King’s Arrow Pine” originated from this policy.

Most of the accessible virgin pine was cut by 1850. Lumber production reached its peak in 1909, but white pine is still a valuable species that contributes
greatly to the economy of the state.

Distribution

White pine occurs in all localities in the state in moist situations, on uplands and on sandy soil, but develops best on fertile, well-drained soils. On sandy soil it often becomes established in pure or nearly pure stands. It is one of the major species planted in the state. The tree grows rapidly both in height and diameter, making an average growth in height of 1 foot or more each year!
When growing in the open, the young tree is symmetrical and conical in outline except when deformed by white pine weevil. White pine weevil is an insect that kills the topmost shoot, and often causes the tree to have multiple stems and a round profile.

In the forest, a white pine tree has a narrow head; and the trunk is commonly free of live branches for a considerable portion of its length. Old forest trees have a broad and somewhat irregular head. The branches are horizontal and in regular whorls, usually of 5 each. Very old trees often become very irregular and picturesque. The trunk tapers gradually, and the tree often attains a height of 100 feet. Commonly it is from 70–80 feet tall, and has a diameter of 1–3 feet.

Tree Features

The bark of young trees is smooth and thin, green with a reddish-brown tinge overall, or brown in spots. On old trees, it is from 1–2 inches thick, very dark, and divided into broad, flat ridges by shallow fissures.

Leaves are in clusters of 5, flexible, 3–5 inches long, bluish-green but
whitish on one side. The papery sheath at the base of the new needle clusters falls in late August.

The cones are 4–8 inches long, cylindrical and borne on a long stalk.
They take 2 years to mature, and open to discharge the seed shortly after ripening in late August through September of the second season.

The wood is light in color and durable, except when in prolonged contact with moisture. It is soft, not heavy and is easily worked. The wood is used extensively for interior trim, doors, windows,
cabinetmaking, sash and door manufacture, pattern making, furniture,
small building construction, interior and exterior finish, and boat planking. Pine furniture is always popular in North America. Lumber from Maine is sold from Newfoundland to Washington 
state and south into Mexico. Lower grade boards have clear sections cut to size for sale. These clear short pieces may also be finger-jointed to create longer lengths of clear wood.Any part of a pine not making log grade is used for pulp. Ceiling tiles and paper are made from this pulp.

Red Spruce Picea rubens

History

Red spruce is an abundant tree species commonly found in Maine with significant ecological and economical importance’s for the state. Red and white spruce make up much of the eastern and central coastal Maine forests. In the 1800s, these original spruce populations were cleared for home building and commercial and agricultural purposes.

Not only valuable for its lumber, spruce trees have a tasty sap that oozes from wounds on the tree bark. This slow oozing sap hardens in a resin that can be chewed. This was was traditionally harvested from red and black spruce trees, giving rise to the first commercially manufactured chewing gum in 1850. John B. Curtis opened two factories in Portland and between 1850 and 1910, Maine was the largest chewing gum producer in the Northeast. The introduction of new gums on the market and a growing demand for spruce pulp resulted in the disappearance of spruce gum factories. Today, along with Balsam fir, red spruce is most often used for construction lumber, and paper making. The wood is especially good for crafting musical instruments.

Red Spruce is also important ecologically providing food and cover for many birds and mammals in Northern forests. The buds and foliage feed grouse, and the cones and seeds are food for red squirrels and white-winged crossbills. Good seed production is seen in trees 30 years old.

Tree Features

The bark of mature trees is thick and covered with thin irregular shaped scales. Gray-brownish scales appear layered over reddish-brown bark.

The leaves are distinguishable for their stiff, prickly to the touch needles. These needles are four sided, shiny dark yellow-green color, and are about 1/2 inch long.

The cones are 11/2–2 inches long with rigid, round scales. These light reddish-brown cones mature from mid-September to early October.

The wood is light in color, soft, and close-grained. The wood of the Red Spruce is one of Maine’s most valuable trees for the production of lumber (Forestry of Maine). Click here to see a chart of important distinctions between all of the Spruce trees you can find in Maine.

The Handy Nature Journal!

Click here to download a printable copy of the Handy Nature Journal. This journal includes information about this trail sign and has guided activities you can do while visiting the trail, or anywhere else outdoors! This pocket journal focuses on learning about coniferous trees and how you can measure them. Click on the image for a downloadable copy.

To fold your Handy Journal – follow the instructions using the link below!

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/folded-notebook