Eastern white pines are the tallest growing trees in Eastern North America and can grow to over 130 feet tall. White pine trees are able to thrive in less than favorable forest conditions like variable soil moisture and nutrient availability. When surrounding early successional trees like aspen and birch die off white pine trees begin to dominate forest canopy because of their longevity. The oldest white pine trees are over 450 years old. Eastern white pine trees can populate old growth forest stands. Old growth forests are essential ecological structures because they provide complex habitats, control nutrient cycling, hydrology, and carbon storage. They are early to mid successional species and are often succeeded by hardwood and northern hemlock dominated forest. 

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Squirrels and birds will eat the medium-sized pine cones dropped by this tree. Most pine trees are relatively easy to differentiate based on the number of needles in each small cluster. White pines have 5 greenish blue needles stemming from each petiole.