Complete the worksheet! Family: Pine (Pinaceae) Height: 70-100' Tree: single tall trunk, whorls of horizontal branching evenly spaced along trunk with branches concentrating near the top when mature, irregular crown Needle: clustered needles, 5 per cluster, 3-5" long; each needle is soft, flexible, and triangular in cross section Bark: gray to brown and smooth when young, breaking with age into large broad scales that are separated by deep furrows Cone: green, turning brown when mature, drooping and curved, 4-8" long, pointed white tip on each cone scale, resin coated Origin/Age: native; 200-250 years Habitat: wide variety of soils, from dry and sandy to moist upland sites Range: north central and northeastern parts of the state, Arrowhead region Interesting Facts: The largest conifer in Minnesota. A favorite place for Bald Eagles to build their nests. Formerly a dominant tree in the state and the backbone of the timber industry, it was known as the Monarch of the North. Also called Northern White Pine, Soft Pine, or Weymouth Pine, the latter name coming from Lord Weymouth, who planted the species on his estate in Wiltshire, England, during the eighteenth century. With many killed by white pine blister rust, a fungus that slowly girdles the trunk, restoration efforts are under way to bring this tree back.