White pines (Pinus strobus), long-living giants of eastern North America, form natural, quiet cathedral-like groves, sheltering and feeding wildlife from songbirds to beavers, hares, deer and others. In neat plantation rows across the watershed, white pine also helps restore the land to a healthier and more natural state.
But like many species, the white pine, Ontario’s official tree, is threatened by climate change and needs a helping hand.
Stressed-out
The present hands-off approach to managing white pine plantations has left many trees in poor health.
Extremely hot, drought-stricken summers brought on by climate change will further harm plantation health and growth.
Pests and diseases can add to the stress; white pine blister rust is an example of this. This fungal disease is sensitive to moisture levels and is more likely to spread in plantations where there is high humidity and reduced airflow because of a lack of proper management. If the blister’s host plants, currant and gooseberry, are infected nearby, the remaining trees face higher chances of illness.
Lending a Hand
To keep the trees in robust health and to encourage long-term resilience, a more active and strategic management approach, which includes thinning, is required. For blister rust, a combination of thinning at the right time and proper spacing, along with controlling host plants and removal of infected branches, is suggested.
The effects of climate change on white pine can’t be fixed through one-off efforts. Management must be continuous in the face of change, and we can help. Contact our forestry experts to assess the health of your plantation and to find resources for managing your property.
Now Open: Direct Plant Sale
Native trees and shrubs are available for purchase from our nursery. Landowners with one or more acres in the Credit River Watershed are eligible to place an order. Order today while supplies last.