Notable features: The needles are very soft to the touch. They are not sharp. The tree has a distinct sweet odor on hot days. You can limit gumming of hair and rope by using cambium savers as sap tends to puddle in crotches. The sap seems to solidify somewhat on freezing days too.

Hazards: Wet snow and ice loading snap branches easily. Do not go near these trees during these conditions.

Interesting info: strobus is Latin for "whorl". The branches grow in clusters or groups in a whorl around the trunk. It makes for easy rope settings and lots of choices for rope placement.