Family: Pinaceae

This Tree in Colorado: Pondersoa pine is native to Colorado. It is found throughout the state in the Mountain and Plateau areas. Its distribution is principally down the Front Range from the Wyoming line to Trinidad, est to Mesa Verde, and north to the Umcompahgre plateau. Natural elevation range is 6000' to 8500'. On north slopes, ponderosa is associated with Douglas-fir. In southern portions of state, it grows along with Gambel Oak.  It is the most important commercial pine in the western US. It furnishes more wood products than any other pine. As an urban species, ponderosa has a place too. It adapts to a wide range of soils. As a young tree, it maintains its branches and looks very full. As it grows in height, the bottom and interior branches begin to "self prune" to give it a more open appearance. Ponderosa and Austrian pine often are confused. Austrian has a fuller appearance than ponderosa.

Growth Rate:  Medium. After they are established, growth rate can reach 12" to 18" a year. They like open areas with full sun. They are not shade tolerant and they don't like real most soils. The best growing conditions are on dryer, well-drained locations. It can reach 75' in 50-60 years.

Best Advice: Plant in groups of 3 to 5 spaced about 8' to 10' apart. They are good windbreak trees too and can be spaced closer if that is the purpose of the planting. Plant them 3" higher than the surrounding ground.

Hardiness:  Zone 3 to 7.

Leaves/Needles: The needles of the ponderosa pine are in fascicles (bundles) of 3, sometimes 2. They are densely crowded on the branchlets, rigid, yellow-green, 3-10" long. Less sharp pointed than the Austrian pine. Leaves stay on branch for 3 to 6 years. Most common is 4. It all relates to the stress the tree is under.

Cones:  3" to 6" long, on a very short stalk. Reddish brown. Each scale is armed with a short sharp point as compared to the Austrian pine.

Bark: Thickens as it ages. Deeply furrowed and platey looking when older and often cinnamon-red to orange color.As with many pines, the older bark exudes the sweet smell of vanilla. Younger bark is dark and scaley looking.

Insects and Disease:  There are many insects that like ponderosa pine. In natural areas, mountain pine beetle is threat. In urban sites, the Ips beetle will attack the stressed trees. Pine tip moth also attacks trees in the 6' to 10' range.

Information Sources:  Dirr, Michael Dr., "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants," 1990

             Kuhns, Michael Dr., "A Guide to the Trees of Utah and the Intermountain     West,"1998