WHITEBARK PINE
pinus albicaulis

• also known as Scrub Pine
• the name 'albicaulis' means the "pine with white stems" because of the white bark evident in young trees
• can be in the shape of a small tree with a rapidly spreading trunk and broad crown or in the shape of a shrub with wide-spreading crown and twisted, gnarled branches

UNIQUE FEATURES:

• distinguishable from Limber Pine by the cones
• the hollows around the roots are used as shelters by animals and hikers
• the seeds are also food for bears and other animals

LOCATION:

• high elevations in southern British Columbia
• like dry to moderately moist sites

SIZE:

• either the size of a small tree or a shrub

CONES/FRUIT:

• egg-shaped to round
• 3 to 8 cm in length
• grow at right angles to the branches
• remain closed on the tree and seeds are only released when the cone decays on the ground
• seeds are wingless and about 1 cm long

NEEDLES:

• in bunches of 5
• 3 to 9 cm long
• slightly curved, stiff, bluish-green

BARK:

• young trees: thin, smooth and chalky white
• mature trees: thick darker bark with ridges

USES:

• traditional - seeds: food (pinenuts); roots: to sew bark canoes, weave watertight containers