Made with White Pine near my River’s Edge Farm in the Hudson Valley, in upstate New York. The White Pine has never been sprayed with pesticides.

Six years ago, the White Pine tree spent a brief moment indoors, decorated with ornaments and lights for Christmas. On December 27th, it was back outdoors and put in a pre-dug hole and covered with mulch and straw. Once the ground had thawed the following spring, it was planted and has thrived over the years, tripling in size.

I only trim off enough ends to make four brushes this year. Next year, as the tree grows bigger, I’ll harvest a little more than this year.

The brushes not only feel wonderful to hold but the pine needles smell of fresh pine.

Use the brush for cleaning up little dry messes or just hang it up as an object to enjoy seeing in your home.

Measures 6 1/2” long

According to Cornell University’s Botanical Garden, the White Pine has been a symbol of strength, protection, and longevity to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy for countless generations. The White Pine is known as the Great Tree of Peace. The tree figures prominently in historical events leading to creation of the Great Law of Peace, which guides Haudenosaunee social and political culture.

A veritable giant in the landscape, the eastern white pine is the tallest tree in the Northeastern U.S. and can reach heights of 150 feet or more, given the right conditions. Tiers of horizontal branches extend from the straight trunks and bear silky, 3-to-5 inch-long bluish-green, filament-like needles that are attached in bundles of five needles. The five-clustered needles are representative of the five original Haudenosaunee nations.