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Upcoming Events | Meet the Instructors | Plant Archive | Mushroom Archive
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Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is a native tree that can be foraged year-round. The entire tree is non-toxic.
Eastern white pine has needles that grow in groups of five. This is the only pine tree in Connecticut that has five needles per bundle.
Needles are edible and can be used to make tea year-round. Hot water should be poured over the needles and allowed to sit at least fifteen minutes. Needles can also be ground up in a coffee grinder and infused in oil to make pine oil.
In the spring, immature pinecones can be eaten raw or candied. Pinecones should be tender and green on the inside when collected. To candy the cones, simmer in sugar and water for 20 minutes, let sit for at least 30 minutes, and then repeat the process two more times. The candied pinecones will have the consistency of a gummy bear with a resinous and piney taste.
Eastern white pine is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and resveratrol. The tree has been used to treat colds by helping to clear phlegm.
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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.
