Whitebark Pine
Pinus albicaulis
Also listed as Apinus albicaulis, Pinus shasta
Also known as Alpine Whitebark Pine, White Pine
Climate Match for your location
See how well Whitebark Pine grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A high-altitude pine with distinctive whitish bark and dense, compact foliage that turns reddish in winter cold. This slow-growing conifer is increasingly important for alpine and subalpine landscapes as lower-elevation pines decline.
Why grow it
Whitebark pine occupies ecological niches above 5,000 feet where many ornamental conifers struggle, making it valuable for high-elevation gardens and alpine restoration. Compared to limber pine or Rocky Mountain juniper at similar elevations, whitebark pine offers faster growth and denser branching structure, though it remains slower than lower-elevation species. Its whitish bark and foliage color shift provide year-round visual interest in austere mountain landscapes where few woody plants thrive.
Watch out for
This species has a very long juvenile period and may take several decades to reach ornamental maturity, requiring patience in landscape settings. Establishment can be slow even in ideal alpine conditions; young plants benefit from consistent moisture during their first few growing seasons rather than being left to drought immediately.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America (Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range)
Native to: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A high-altitude pine with distinctive whitish bark and dense, compact foliage that turns reddish in winter cold. This slow-growing conifer is increasingly important for alpine and subalpine landscapes as lower-elevation pines decline.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Whitebark Pine grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Whitebark pine occupies ecological niches above 5,000 feet where many ornamental conifers struggle, making it valuable for high-elevation gardens and alpine restoration. Compared to limber pine or Rocky Mountain juniper at similar elevations, whitebark pine offers faster growth and denser branching structure, though it remains slower than lower-elevation species. Its whitish bark and foliage color shift provide year-round visual interest in austere mountain landscapes where few woody plants thrive.
Watch out for
This species has a very long juvenile period and may take several decades to reach ornamental maturity, requiring patience in landscape settings. Establishment can be slow even in ideal alpine conditions; young plants benefit from consistent moisture during their first few growing seasons rather than being left to drought immediately.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America (Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range)
Native to: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.