Pinus contorta var. latifolia latifolia
Lodgepole Pine
Rocky Mountains and interior ranges — Yukon to Colorado; 2,000-11,000 feet (600-3,350 m); the dominant post-fire colonizer in montane forests
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Overview
Pinus contorta var. latifolia is lodgepole pine (Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine), an upright evergreen coniferous tree growing 40-80 feet (12-24 m) tall and 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m) wide. Yellow-green to dark green twisted needles in fascicles of 2, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm), in a narrow columnar crown. In Pinaceae. Contorta = twisted; latifolia = broad-leaved. SEROTINOUS CONES — sealed with resin, requiring wildfire heat (113-140°F / 45-60°C) to open. The primary post-fire colonizer in western montane forests. Mountain pine beetle is the most significant mortality agent — outbreaks have killed tens of millions of acres since the 1990s. A 2-needle pine. Native from Yukon to Colorado at 2,000-11,000 feet (600-3,350 m). Short-lived (150-300 years) compared to other western conifers. Shallow roots — susceptible to windthrow. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 2-8. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate to fast.
Native Range
Native to the Rocky Mountains and interior ranges — Yukon to Colorado. Found at 2,000-11,000 feet (600-3,350 m). The dominant post-fire colonizer in western montane forests.Suggested Uses
Grown as a native reforestation species, windbreak, and naturalized planting in western montane landscapes, spaced 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m). Fire-dependent ecology. Not suited to urban ornamental use. Non-toxic. Zones 2-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height40' - 80'
Width/Spread15' - 25'
Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years
Bloom Information
Not applicable — conifer. Monoecious. Yellow male strobili at branch bases and small reddish-purple female cones at branch tips in May-June. Serotinous cones 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) persist on branches for years, releasing seeds only after fire.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Yellow-green to dark green, needles in fascicles of 2, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm), twisted, stiff; the narrow columnar crown and thin branches create an open canopyGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight