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At first glance, it doesn’t really look like a flower. There are no bright petals. No soft blooms opening in the spring. Instead, Maine chose something different. The white pine cone and tassel. And honestly, it makes perfect sense for a state known as the Pine Tree State.
Long before Maine became famous for rocky coastlines and lobster boats, white pine forests covered huge parts of the region. Towering trees stretched across New England, some reaching heights of nearly 200 feet tall. These weren’t just trees. They helped shape the history of the state itself.
This short video shares why Maine chose the white pine cone and tassel as its state flower and how the white pine became tied to the history of the region.
White Pine Cone & Tassel
White Pine Cone & Tassel
Pinus strobus
The Eastern white pine is one of the tallest native trees in eastern North America and has been part of Maine’s landscape for centuries.
A few things that make it special:
Native to the northeastern United States
Produces cones and pollen-bearing tassels
Can grow over 150 feet tall
Known for its straight trunks and soft needles
The “flower” portion comes from the tassels, which release pollen in the spring, while the pine cones hold the seeds that allow new trees to grow.
Even though it’s technically not a true flower, it became one of the strongest symbols of Maine.
Why It Became the State Flower
During colonial times, Maine’s white pine forests were incredibly valuable.
The trees grew tall and remarkably straight, making them perfect for ship masts. The British Royal Navy prized these pines so highly that certain trees were marked and reserved specifically for England.
Over time, white pine logging also became a major part of Maine’s economy and identity.
By the late 1800s, the white pine had already become closely associated with the state, earning Maine the nickname “The Pine Tree State.”
In 1895, the white pine cone and tassel officially became Maine’s state flower.
It may not look like a traditional flower, but few plants represent Maine more completely.
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