ClimateAugust 16, 2026
whitebark
WHYT-bark
Definition
A species of high-elevation pine tree (Pinus albicaulis) native to the mountains of western North America, known for its ability to survive in harsh, cold, and windswept environments.
Etymology
The name is a compound of the English words 'white' and 'bark,' describing the tree's characteristically pale, thin, and smooth bark, which remains light in color even as the tree matures.
In the news
In the article, the whitebark pine is cited as a 'high-five' subalpine tree that is currently facing new competition and habitat shifts as other tree species migrate into its environment due to climate change.
A Gnarly Situation: High-Elevation Discovery Raises New Questions About Which California Trees Will Survive Climate Change
Read the full article ↗The Good Men Project