ponderosa pine - Pinaceae Pinus ponderosa

Taxonomy

Cladegymnosperm
FamilyPinaceae
GenusPinus
Speciesponderosa
Common Nameponderosa pine
iTree CodePIPO

Plant Form

FormTree: large, very tall with thick trunk
Height225 feet
Spread45 feet
DeciduousNo

Identification Description

Foliageneedles in bundles of 2-3, 6-8" long, dark green, thick/stiff Leaf Type  Information Icon Needle
Needles3
Barkgrayish & scaly, becoming irregular, furrowed red-brown plates; can have a pineapple/vanilla scent
Buddark red/brown, oval, tightly packed
Twiggray/brown with scales where needle bundles have dropped
Pollen Conemale (staminate strobili) purple/red in clusters ; female (ovulate strobili) ~1" long, yellow/green; male and female on same tree (monoecious)
Seed Conewoody cone, 3” to 6” in length, scales having stiff spines
Fall Colorgreen

Site Characteristics

USDA Zones   info for zones pH LevelsSalt Tolerance
Min3a Min5.0 SoilModerate
Max7a Max9.0 SprayModerate

Shade ToleranceDrought ToleranceAllelopathy
Intolerant High No

Species Status

Nebraska Native Yes Check
U.S. Native Yes Check
Region of OriginUnited States, Canada
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