Weymouth pine (WEP) - Forest Research

Native range

Native to eastern North America as far north as Newfoundland.

Provenance Choice

No provenance testing has been carried out in Britain; seed sources from the native range from New England northwards should be suitable. The species is adapted to a cool, humid climate and is of intermediate shade tolerance when young but then requires full light for good growth.

Site Requirements

It can be grown in mixture with Scots pine, birch and other broadleaved species. Grows on poor to rich sandy or sandy loam soils of moderately dry to fresh soil moisture. Not suited to very poor soils or to peats and does not tolerate alkaline soils. Appears to be cold hardy throughout Britain but has no more than moderate tolerance of exposure.

Pests and Pathogens

The continuing risk from white pine blister rust (Cronartium rubicola) which is extremely damaging to this pine species means that it should only be planted on a small scale and preferably in mixture.

Use

Planted on some scale in Britain until the end of 1800's when plantations were severely attacked by white pine blister rust and the use of the species was discontinued. However, there is renewed interest in this species for forest diversification in lowland Britain with the availability of rust resistant material and its potential as part of mixed plantation forestry. A species that is likely to benefit from climate change.

Weymouth pine is categorised as a Plot-stage species – a group of species that have not been planted on any significant scale but have demonstrated silvicultural characteristics in trial plots and have qualities suitable for forestry objectives to justify further testing and development.