WHITE PINES

To black bears, not all trees are created equal. In the forests of northeastern Minnesota, bears definitely prefer to be near majestic white pines.

Are White Pines Too Valuable To Cut?

To cut or not to cut? Here are some of the research findings foresters must weigh in managing Minnesota's old-growth white pines.

Read Paper

Supercanopy White Pine and Wildlife

A survey of the literature showed that scattered supercanopy white pines perform a different wildlife function than do white pine communities.

Read Paper

Bark

Probably the biggest reason black bears make their beds near big white pines is the white pine's bark. Old white pines have deeply-furrowed, strong bark that make them easier for cubs to climb for safe refuge. Cubs often fall from trees with flaky bark, like spruces, jack pines, and red pines, and the often fall from trees with smooth bark like birches and the upper branches of aspens.

Shade

White pines have another advantage for bears in spring before deciduous trees leaf out. White pines offer shade to escaping cubs that may spend hours in trees until danger passes. Bear fur can reach 185 degrees Fahrenheit in the sun. The need for shade becomes a matter of life and death when panting can no longer keep body temperature below 104 degrees.

Strong Branches

The long, strong branches of white pines provide greater safety to cubs than do other trees in northeastern Minnesota. Strong white pine branches can support entire bear families if necessary.

Slideshow courtesy of White Pine Society

Visit whitepines.org

Watch Slideshow

Tree Age Calculator

Use this online tool to help you easily calculate the age of a tree using simple measurments

Visit Site

Tree Measuring Guide

Friends of the White Pine Society, Robert Leverett and Will Blozan have shared with us a few diagrams from their book "Stalking The Forest Monarchs - A Guide to Measuring Champion Trees."

Read Guide