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WESTERN WHITE PINE (Pinus monticola)
Other names: Pine, Silver pine, white pine, Idaho pine;
may have been confused with larch


FAIR


The wood is soft, light weight and is logged for mill work and matches. The tree is very susceptible to blister rust. It is primarily a tree found in Northern Idaho and Western Montana though it does grow in Eastern Oregon and Washington and in the Sierra in California. It is inferior to the Ponderosa pine as a bearing tree. The original blaze may be completely healed but with a noticeable scar. The wood is soft and scribe marks weather badly on open blazes. When dead and fallen the wood decays rather slowly and retains the "pitch face" similar to the Ponderosa. The recovery rate is better than with Lodgepole but less than Ponderosa which may be an aid in determining which tree to use when a choice may be had. 

If taken for a bearing tree, keep the blaze minimum in size, deep enough to penetrate the soft sapwood, and well drained. Paint thoroughly. If in dense stands release if permissible.