Growth Rates of Different White Pines Studied in Maryland’s Appalachian Region

Six white pine species were studied 14 years after planting in Maryland’s western-most Garrett County. Pinus strobus was represented by 11 populations from Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, South Carolina and Quebec. Their survival rates were about similar, from 68% to 94%, but heights were distinctly different, ranging from 95% to 146% of the plantation mean (= 100%). The most outstanding was a population from Ogemaw County, Michigan. Pinus monticola from Idaho showed an adequate survival (65%), but grew slower than most of the sources of P. strobus; as young trees (under 8 years), they resembled well-pruned Christmas trees. Pinus griffithii and P. peuce exhibited poor survival (< 20%); P. ayacahuite and P. lambertiana grew slowly, 70% and 47% of the plantation mean, respectively.