Eastern White pine is the State Tree of Michigan. Pinus strobus is the scientific name of white pine and it is commonly known as eastern white pine, northern white pine, white pine, Weymouth pine, and soft pine. Pinus are the genus of the white pine and P. strobus is its species. The Michigan’s State tree Eastern white pine is belongs from the family of Pinaceae, which is native to most of the areas of Michigan as well as eastern North America, which are also found in United States, and south along the Appalachian Mountains and upper Piedmont to northernmost Georgia and conceivably rarely in a few of the higher altitudes in northeastern Alabama and occurring from Newfoundland, Canada west throughout the Great Lakes areas to southeastern Manitoba and Minnesota.
Pines are among the most abundant and commercially imperative tree species. It is mostly important for timber and pulp round the world. That’s why it is widely spread and it is grown in different parts of the world. On basis of the facts that stated above, Oct. 14, 1955, the state Legislature of Michigan designated the Eastern white pine as the official state tree of Michigan. It is not only the State tree of Michigan but it is also State/national tree of many other countries or states with its variety.
Facts about Michigan’s State Tree (Eastern white pine)
- Common name: eastern white pine, northern white pine, white pine, Weymouth pine, and soft pine.
- Genus: Pinus
- Species: Pinus strobus
- Found in: to most of the areas of Michigan as well as eastern North America, which are also found in United States, and south along the Appalachian Mountains and upper Piedmont to northernmost Georgia and conceivably rarely in a few of the higher altitudes in northeastern Alabama and occurring from Newfoundland, Canada west throughout the Great Lakes areas to southeastern Manitoba and Minnesota.
- Flower: The Eastern White pines have produces both male and female flower in same tree. The male flowers are cylindrical, yellow color, and the female light green, tinged in red. It generates at the end of the branches.
- Bark: The bark of the white pine trees is thin and soft when they are being juvenile with grayish green color, which will ultimately become thick, red-brown to gray-brown in color with outstanding ridges and grooves.
- Leaf: The leaves of the white pine called ‘needle’, which are generating in bundles of five blue-green leaves, evergreen, leathery and long. Its lengths are in between 3 to 5 inch.
- Fruits: The fruits of white pine called ‘cone’. There are two types of cone have the pine trees, which one for generates pollen and another for develop and dropping the seeds. The smaller pollen cones can be generates an enormous amount of pollen per year and that are attached to new shoots. The seed-bearing cones are larger in size and woody types, which are generally attached with limbs on long stalks. The fruits have been matured in the period of August to September. It also has an aromatic gluey resin.
- Purpose: ornamental.
- Symbolism: Wisdom and longevity, peace, virtue, good luck, prosperity, and good health, fertility, masculinity, and winter.
The Pine is the easiest recognized plant by the peoples throughout the world. There are almost 115 species of the pines exist in the world (different opinions 105 to 125 species) most of which are native to the Northern Hemisphere. At least 36 significant species of pines are native to the Northern America and Canada out of which the 13 most exposed pines are; Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus),Western white pine (Pinus monticola),Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana),Red pine (Pinus resinosa),Pitch pine (Pinus rigida),Jack pine (Pinus banksiana), white pine (Pinus palustris),Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata),Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda),Slash pine (Pinus elliottii), Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana),Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta),Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).
The Michigan’s State tree the Eastern white pine is one of the most precious conifer species in the northeastern United States. The pine wood is durable and it is highly cherished in construction, furniture manufacture, wood-carving and cooperage. The tree is also outstandingly good at adapting to stern mountain atmosphere that makes it valuable types of plant for afforestation on high terrain and as a protection against erosion. It is also a well-liked ornamental tree in parks and open large gardens, giving steady plant it cannot growth rapidly on ample range locations.
The Michigan’s State tree the Eastern white pine is been uses in various aspect due to its nature and availability and affordability. It has been used as building materials, as raw materials of paper, pulp and moldings Industries, also used for construction lumber, furniture and floors etc. It contains lot of medicinal properties like as; antioxidant, astringent, antiseptic, inflammatory, expectorant, and Vitamin C that is a potential remedy of cold-flu-cough, congestion and scurvy.
The Pine trees have been used as Christmas tree since 16th Century begins from the ancient Germany and then it occurs internationally from 19th century. Most of the Christian people throughout the world choose it as Christmas tree. It is also burly related with Christmas and the Christmas season. The branches of pine trees are tough enough to embrace ornaments, candles, and strings of lights. Its distinctive aroma attracts people frequently towards it.
To sum up, Pine is the people’s favorite State tree of Michigan, which symbolized Wisdom and longevity, peace, virtue, good luck, prosperity, and good health, fertility, masculinity, and winter. Although it is an official State tree symbol of Michigan, it outstandingly represents and glorifies the spirit of Michigan culture.