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Pinus ponderosa
Ponderosa Pine
Western North America, British Columbia to Great Plains; 500–9,000 feet (150–2,700 m)Learn more
Overview
Pinus ponderosa is a large evergreen pine native to western North America, one of the most widely distributed pines on the continent. Trees reach 60–100 feet (18–30 m) tall and 25–35 feet (7.6–10.7 m) wide in cultivation; growth rate is 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) per year on good sites. The crown is broadly conical to pyramidal when young, becoming open and irregular with age, with long, slightly drooping branches. Needles are in bundles of three (occasionally two or five depending on variety), 5–10 inches (12.5–25 cm) long, stiff, yellow-green to dark green, clustered densely at branch tips. Bark on mature trees is orange-cinnamon to yellow-brown, exfoliating in large, flat, jigsaw-puzzle-like plates separated by dark fissures; young tree bark is dark gray-brown. Cones are ovoid, 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) long, prickly, light brown, falling intact. Bark emits a vanilla to butterscotch scent when warmed. The species is susceptible to bark beetle attack; stressed trees are most vulnerable. In Pacific Northwest gardens, the species typically performs best in drier east-side conditions rather than wet west-side sites.
Native Range
Pinus ponderosa is native across much of western North America, from British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon, and California, east through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and into the Great Plains, at elevations of 500–9,000 feet (150–2,700 m). It is native to eastern Washington and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest.Suggested Uses
Planted in large naturalistic landscapes, dryland gardens, parks, and restoration sites in east-side Pacific Northwest conditions, spaced 20–25 feet (6–7.6 m) from adjacent plants. The orange-cinnamon puzzle-bark on mature trees provides distinctive year-round interest. Eventual height of 60–100 feet (18–30 m) requires siting away from structures and power lines. Not suited to high-rainfall west-side Pacific Northwest lowland gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height60' - 100'
Width/Spread25' - 35'
Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Male strobili are yellow, releasing pollen in April–June. Female cones are ovoid, 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) long, prickly, ripening from green to light brown in the second season and falling intact. Cone production begins at 15–25 years and is often heavy on mature trees.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow (male strobili)Foliage Description
yellow-green to dark greenGrowing 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