Twisted Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus ‘Torulosa’)
Identifying Features
Plant Family: Pinaceae
Leaf: evergreen, needles bundled in fives, slender, twisted and curled, 2-4 inches long, blue-green color
Twig and Bud: twigs slender and gray-green to brown, buds are ovoid with sharp point
Flower, Fruit and Seed: seed cones cylindrical, often curved, light brown
Bark: gray-brown with layers of scales forming ridges that are broken into irregular blocks
Shape and Mature Height: upright broad, oval shaped with slightly twisted branches, 12-15 feet after 10 years growth
Garden Value and Considerations
This white pine cultivar grows best in well-drained soils and full sun. It is well suited as a specimen tree with soft, curly foliage that is fascinating year-round.
Notes
Pinus strobus ‘Torulosa’ is often confused with ‘Contorta’, a white pine cultivar that is described as having a twisted trunk, branches and young shoots.
