White Pine Film Event in Hartford

 

New Hampshire virgin white pines

 If you look at a forested hillside almost anywhere in the northeast, you'll probably see eastern white pines poking up through the canopy and towering over the surrounding trees. We tend to take those pines for granted; they're just part of the natural landscape.

King's Pine

But 400 years ago, stands of huge, primeval New England white pines were highly valued by the English Crown, the finest being axe-marked as the “King’s pines”. They were sorely needed for ship masts, and were the primary motivation in sending colonists to these shores, eventually sparking the American Revolution. Their importance didn't wane post-revolution; on the contrary, they were integral to the building of much of the eastern United States through the following century. It's a cogent story.

And that story is told in "Eastern White Pine - the Tree Rooted in American History", our one-hour documentary film that uses vintage images, current footage, and soaring aerial views to tell the 4-century tale of the pine's critical contribution to America's founding and history. You may be surprised to learn how the white pine is woven through the fabric of this country's formation.

Today, the white pine still is economically important, but it's much appreciated for its ecological role too. A number of wildlife species are dependent on pines; some are described in the film, from birds to bears.

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, the film will be shown at Real Art Ways theater in Hartford, CT, at 3pm, sponsored by Connecticut Valley Garden Club and Trinity College. Admission is free, and includes pine-influenced snacks and tea to warm you on this winter day. 

Prior to the film, at 1pm, there will be a pine forest walk nearby. A Q&A session follows the film. Details are available here. 

It'll be an interesting day. We hope to see you there!