Weymouth pine 'Pendula' Pinus strobus 'Pendula'
ABOUT
P. strobus 'Pendula' is a weeping tree with soft, drooping, blue-green needles in groups of five. Long, hanging, resinous cones remain on the tree all year. Young trees should be staked until the required height is reached and will then form a large, spreading mound
About this plant
- Names
Family
Pinaceae
Synonyms
Weeping White Pine, Eastern White Pine 'Pendula'
Common names
Pinus strobus 'Pendula'.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Blue-green
Height
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Spread
8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: The weeping white pine adds visual interest to landscapes with its unique, pendulous form.
- Shade Provider: Its canopy can offer a cool, shaded area during hot summer days.
- Erosion Control: It helps to stabilize the soil with its root system, preventing erosion especially on slopes.
- Habitat for Wildlife: Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.
- Sound Barrier: Dense foliage can act as a buffer to reduce noise pollution.
- Windbreak: Can be used in a row to protect against strong winds and create a microclimate for other plants.
- Privacy Screen: Effective as a living screen for privacy in gardens and yards.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care and is relatively resistant to pests and diseases.
- Adaptability: Can grow in a range of soil types and environmental conditions.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers year-round greenery and seasonal cones, adding to the landscape's aesthetic through the seasons.
- Medical Properties
- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Artistic Medium: Woodworkers and artisans may use the wood from the Eastern White Pine to create sculptures and intricate carvings since it has a fine grain and soft texture which makes it easy to work with.
- Furniture Making: The pale tones of Eastern White Pine lend themselves to creating beautiful, natural-looking furniture, often chosen for rustic design themes.
- Soundboards for Instruments: The wood of Eastern White Pine is sometimes used in the manufacture of soundboards for musical instruments due to its resonant qualities.
- Landscape Focal Point: This weeping variety of Eastern White Pine, with its unique shape and form, serves as a dramatic focal point in landscape design.
- Privacy Screens: When planted in a row, Eastern White Pine can serve as a natural privacy screen, elegantly draping and covering an area with their foliage.
- Erosion Control: The root system can help stabilize soil on slopes, making them useful for erosion control in landscaped settings.
- Holiday Decor: Branches from the Eastern White Pine may be used for wreaths and other holiday decorations due to their long, soft needles and attractive appearance.
- Model Making: Being soft and easy to carve, the lightweight wood is utilized by hobbyists for crafting detailed models and dioramas.
- Photography Subject: The unique pendulous form of the tree makes it a popular subject for photographers and artists who focus on natural beauty.
- Theme Gardens: Eastern White Pine can be incorporated into theme gardens, such as Asian-inspired gardens, to add height, texture, and an element of tranquility.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Weeping White Pine is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Weeping White Pine is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Longevity: The Weeping White Pine, being a type of pine tree, is often associated with long life and eternal vigor. Pine trees are known to live for hundreds of years, symbolizing endurance and timeless strength.
- Peace: In various cultures, pine trees represent peace. The soft, sweeping form of the Weeping White Pine might reinforce this sense of serenity and calmness.
- Resilience: Even in harsh conditions, pine trees tend to thrive, representing the ability to stand firm and adapt, much like the Weeping White Pine that shows resilience in its growth habit.
- Wisdom: Many cultures revere the pine tree as a symbol of wisdom due to its long lifespan and evergreen qualities, suggesting perennial knowledge.
- Water
The Weeping White Pine (Pinus strobus 'Pendula') should be watered deeply to ensure that the moisture reaches the roots. Initially, water twice a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Once established, reduce watering to once a week, providing about 1 to 2 gallons per session for young trees, and more for mature trees based on their size and the weather conditions. During periods of drought or extreme heat, increase the frequency as needed, but always allow the soil to dry somewhat before the next watering to avoid waterlogging.
- Light
Weeping White Pine thrives best in full sunlight where it can receive at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. To promote healthy growth and optimal needle color, position the plant in a spot that is free from shade throughout the day. Avoid heavily shaded areas to ensure the plant gets the light it needs.
- Temperature
Weeping White Pine can endure a range of temperatures and is cold hardy, withstanding temperatures as low as -30°F and surviving maximum summer temperatures of around 90°F. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60°F and 75°F. It is important to note that Weeping White Pine is well adapted to cold climates and can suffer in areas with extremely hot and prolonged summer temperatures.
- Pruning
Weeping White Pine benefits from light pruning to maintain its shape and remove any damaged or diseased branches. Pruning should be carried out in late winter or early spring before the onset of new growth. It is usually sufficient to prune once a year, focusing on trimming back unwanted growth to enhance the tree's weeping form. Careful removal of dead or intersecting branches will help maintain tree health and appearance.
- Cleaning
Not needed
- Soil
Weeping White Pine thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil; a mix of sand, loam, and organic matter is ideal, with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.0.
- Repotting
Weeping White Pines are typically landscape plants and do not require repotting; if container-grown, repotting every 3-4 years is sufficient.
- Humidity & Misting
Weeping White Pine is adaptable but prefers moderate humidity levels; it does not require specific humidity adjustments when planted outdoors.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Grow Weeping White Pine in a large container with ample light.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, full sun, and protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
- Life cycle
Eastern White Pine 'Pendula' begins its life as a seed, which germinates in spring under suitable moisture and temperature conditions. The seedling stage follows, characterized by the establishment of a root system and the emergence of cotyledons (seed leaves). As it enters the sapling stage, the plant starts to develop its distinctive weeping branches and needle-like leaves. Maturing into an adult tree, it will develop reproductive structures known as cones; the male cones release pollen, while the female cones, after pollination, develop seeds. The mature tree can live for many years, going through repeated cycles of cone production, pollination, and seed dispersal. Eventually, as the plant reaches senescence, growth slows, and it becomes more susceptible to environmental stress, pests, and diseases, leading to its natural decline and death.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Late winter
The weeping white pine, scientifically known as Pinus strobus 'Pendula', is most commonly propagated using grafting methods. The optimal time for grafting is late winter or early spring, just before the growth season begins. Grafting involves taking a scion, which is a piece of a branch with buds, from the desired weeping white pine and joining it to a rootstock of another pine species that is closely related. The scion and the rootstock are cut at matching angles to ensure a good cambial contact. They are then bound together tightly with grafting tape to prevent drying and to encourage the tissues to fuse as the plants heal and grow. This method leverages the robust root system of the rootstock and combines it with the desired ornamental features of the weeping white pine, ensuring that the resulting trees inherit the weeping form of the 'Pendula' cultivar.