The western white pine (Pinus monticola) is related to the eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) differing from it in having a more rounded form, wide-reaching limbs and larger cones. The western white pine is native to the western part of the United States, specifically the Sierra Nevada, the Cascades, and the northern Rocky Mountains. It is the state tree of Idaho. The western white pine grows rapidly, attaining heights of 175 feet and trunk diameters from 5 to 8 feet. The needles grow in bundles of five, are finely serrated, and 2 to 5 inches long. The bark of the mature western white pine is brownish-gray and broken into small block-like shapes. The wood is ideally suited for building applications including window and door frames, paneling and shelving.
