Its roots cause abnormal growth in the tree. Eastern white pine is distinguished by its soft, long needles that are in groups of five. All other pines on Prince Edward Island have groups of two needles. Eastern white pine was once much more common across the Island, growing up to six feet in diameter and towering above other trees in the forest. Most were cut for shipbuilding during the 1800's because they made excellent masts.
White pine is still highly-valued by carpenters and furniture makers.
The wood is easy to work and often used in window-making and for inferior trim. The presence of large trees and an abundance of snags makes this valley an exciting place for bird watchers. Brown creepers, tiny warbler-like birds, feed on insect larvae on the bark of trees. If you are quiet and observant, you may see one work its way up the trunk in a spiral, searching for food. The boreal chickadee, much less common and more secretive than its black-capped relative, is also found here.