This plant originated in the Yale University Forest Research center as a result of their hybrid pine research. In the late 1960's Earl Cully of Heritage Trees, Jacksonville, IL was visiting the Center with Richard Jaynes of Hamden, CT and secured scion wood from several outstanding specimens of the hybrid cross between Pinus strobus x Pinus ayacahuite.
From these selections which were further propagated the current cultivar was selected. Roy Klehm of the Chas. Klehm & Son Nursery, South Barrington, IL was impressed with this selection he elected to have it put into commercial production. He is the person that gave this selection the name of 'Forest Sky'. It is now being marketed from his Beaver Creek Nursery in Poplar Grove, IL and Song Sparrow Nursery in Avalon, WI.
Beaver Creek Nursery catalog description: "Slower growing, tighter form, less winter browning than eastern white pine. It has been totally hardy hybrid for us out here on the prairie. Beautiful blue cast to the foliage. A big improvement over eastern white pine in many applications. Size: 30-50'H x 15-20'W."
