A native of the
United States and
Canada and was introduced into
Europe by
Lord Weymouth in 1705. Today it is widely cultivated throughout the western, central and eastern parts of the
Continent. It attains heights of up to 40 metres or more. The bole is straight and is topped by an irregularly shaped, layered crown with soft, silky grey-green foliage that is very attractive. The young tree has smooth green bark that becomes rough and fissured with age. The cones mature in the second year and immediately shed the seeds in
September.
The Weymouth pine grows rapidly and well up to the age of a hundred years. It is very resistant to frost, requires moderate light and thrives in moist light soils. It has proved excellent in the improvement of poor, degraded soils, and does well even in city parks. Its most serious enemy is the disease caused by the fungus Peridermium strobi, which produces resinous blisters on the trunk, retards growth and may even kill the tree. The Weymouth pine yields light, brownish heartwood used in making doors, window frames and other products of the builder's trade.