This native species of pine is easily recognized because its long thin needles are in bundles of five, the only pine in this region with that arrangement. These needles tend to be bluish-green in color and two to five inches long. This species is found in southeastern Canada, northeastern United States, the Great Lakes region and south to Georgia in the mountains. It may grow from 70 to 110 feet high, though a dwarf variety exists in the colder and windier part of its range.

The branches are horizontal and arranged in whorls around the trunk. There are fewer limbs than on other pines and they tend to be heavier. The bark on small trees is smooth and greenish gray. As the tree ages the bark becomes dark and deeply ridged. The young pollen cones are yellow and the seed cones are initially purple. These slender seed cones can be 4-8 inches long and have no spines. They produce winged seeds.

The eastern white pine is an attractive ornamental and had been a valuable tree for lumber. The wood is light, soft and has straight grain and not as resinous as other pines. The tree was so extensively harvested that few of the largest trees remain. Reforestation is underway in many areas. The tree is vulnerable to the white pine blister rust fungus. This can be controlled by removal of currants and gooseberries, an intermediate host for the fungus. The white pine weevil can also damage the tree.

The white pine is frequently used as a Christmas tree because of the long attractive needles and because it retains these needles well after being cut.