Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine) was an important component of mesic and dry-mesic northern temperate forests prior to European settlement. We evaluated the efficacy of restoration on a degraded, mesic hardwood site with a low post-harvest residual basal area (11.5 m² ha^-1). Three-year survival of planted pines was 57% (n = 299), with 40% mortality occurring the first year. Additional losses, however, were minimal: 2% and 1%) following years two and three, respectively. Survival was associated with presence of bare soil near the seedling (P < 0.05). High initial mortality was likely attributable to drought. Our results suggest that White Pine establishment on more mesic hardwood sites may be possible given sufficient soil and canopy disturbance, but that high initial mortality may be expected under dry climatic conditions.