This volume presents 29 overview and research papers on the breeding, genetic variation, genecology, gene conservation, and pest resistance of five-needle pines (Pinus L. subgenus Strobus Lemm.) from throughout the world. Overview papers provide information on past and present research as well as future needs for research on white pines from North America, Europe, and Asia. Research papers, more narrowly focused, cover various aspects of genetics. Throughout the distribution of five-needle pines, but particularly in many of the nine North American species, the pathogen Cronartium ribicola J.C. Fisch. continues to cause high levels of mortality and threatens ecosystems and plantations. Studies on genetic resistance to C. ribicola are described in papers from different regions of the world. Use of P. strobus as an exotic species in Europe and Russia and corresponding problems with white pine blister rust are discussed in several papers. Other papers focus on examining and exploiting patterns of genetic variation of different species.