Pinus Strobus Traditional Cache

Eastern White Pine, or Pinus strobus, is also known as the northern white pine; white pine; pin blanc [French]; biisaandago-zhingwaak [Ojibwe].

Eastern white pine is valuable tree. Clustered soft blue-green needles. Ideal screen or windbreak. Likes moist, well-drained soils. Grows 50' to 80' with a 20-40' spread in the landscape, up to 135' or more in the wild. 

Eastern white pine seeds are favored by black bears, rabbits, red squirrels and many birds, especially red crossbills. While potentially damaging to the trees, the bark is eaten by mammals such as beavers, snowshoe hares, porcupines, rabbits and mice. White pines provide nesting sites as well for many birds including woodpeckers, common grackles, mourning doves, chickadees and nuthatches.

P. strobus was a valued source of naval stores in the 1700s, and large tracts were once reserved for exploitation by the Royal Navy. This exploitation began in 1652, and by 1775 the easy sources of wood for masts had been largely logged off. Also in 1652, John Hull of Boston established the New England Mint; his largest issue was a coin ornamented by a pine tree, surely P. strobus. Logging continued through the 1700s and 1800s for masts, buildings, and furniture. Because of extensive lumbering, few uncut stands remain. As time went by, the locus of devastation migrated westward, and has left a legacy in the form of historic buildings framed with pine from Maine to Minnesota.

In modern times, it is an important horticultural species. Twice (as of 2017) it has served as the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, the only pine ever selected for that duty.

ABOUT THIS CACHE

This hide is located on Montgomery County park property. County parks are open from sunrise to sunset. For more information on park rules and regulations click here.

You will find this cache nestled away in a lovely stand of white pines and other tree species. Please note that there is a continuous muggle presence in this general location, due to hikers, dog walkers, fishing enthusiasts, among others. Please take care to replace this container exactly where you found it, and with a few sticks of cover. It is also advisable to watch your step, as deer droppings abounded when I was placing this hide.

NOT a pinecone