Twisted Needle White Pine

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

40 - 50 Feet

Mature Spread

40 - 50 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Twisted Needle White Pine, formally called Pinus Strobus Torulosa, is an evergreen with unique, green-blue ‘twisted’ needles that give this unusual conifer its signature name. The spiraling needles of the White Pine will lend a softer look to your landscape. Torulosa are fast-growing and tall, reaching heights of 40 to 50 feet, with a spread of 40-50 feet. They have a narrow form and sparse branching which, paired with their spindly tufts of needles, gives the tree an airy, fluffy appearance. They produce green female cones that ripen into a golden color as the season progresses.

The easy-to-grow, low-maintenance Twisted Needle is a sustainable way to add interest to any yard of landscape. Native to Newfoundland and the United States, the Twisted Needle White Pine forms a broad upright pyramid with moderately contorted branches that will apply an interesting, sculptural look to your landscape. They are hardy trees and resistant to both verticillium wilt and deer.

Twisted Needle White Pine Care

They thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The best soil for the Twisted Needle is rich, acidic clay that is well-drained with even moisture. Planting the Twisted Needle in Alkaline soil may lead to yellow needles. This pine is hardy, but should be planted in an area that is sheltered from the wind. They are moderately drought tolerant after being established. They are vulnerable to some pests and diseases, most prominently, needle blight, rust, aphids, and sawflies. Watch your tree for signs of distress.

Twisted Needle does not require heavy pruning, and you should only trim back new growth, rather than cutting into the canopy of the tree. You should also trim away any dead or diseased branches. Pruning should be done in the late fall or early spring before seasonal growth has begun.

Twisted Needle White Pine Care

Twisted Needle White Pine has a wide spread, and should be planted 20 to 30 feet apart. They are beautiful and individual specimen trees, but can also be planted en masse along woodland borders and in coastal areas.