Managing White Pine Health in New York Forests

Eastern white pine has played an important role in North American forests and culture for thousands of years. Rapid changes in land use over the past few centuries and the lack of a cohesive management strategy has led to white pine often growing off-site, in dense stands, and filled with individuals of poor form and weakened defenses. This presentation will cover land use history, and site characteristics needed to regenerate, establish, and grow quality white pine. There will be a focus on insects and diseases that negatively impact growth and form, as well as silvicultural methods for reducing those impacts. Low density management and growing large, old white pine will also be discussed. Presented 20may2026 by Rob Cole NYSDEC Forest Health Unit