Maintain overhead shading until the white pine regeneration is 20 ft. tall or any time terminals are beginning to make contact with branches in the overstory. Retain trees which are free of blister rust and weevil attack. Discourage row thinning practices in white pine plantations. Consider precommercial thinning of stands 18-25 years of age to remove any dominant white pine heavily attacked by weevils. This practice will prevent smaller, unattacked trees from becoming suppressed.
Weevils often concentrate attacks on the biggest trees in a stand.
Establishing New White Pine Plantations Evaluate the local blister rust hazard of the planting site before planting white pine. If you have trouble with this step contact a state DNR forest pathologist or entomologist for advice. Avoid planting in small openings which are defined as, openings with a diameter less than the height of surrounding trees. 6 x 6 ft. spacing is preferable. Plant white pine under an existing forest canopy whenever possible.