Ponderosa Pine

The Ponderosa Pine is a large evergreen well suited to our region, valued for its exceptional drought tolerance and its ability to provide year-round green in a variety of garden settings. It produces soft, bushy clusters of very long pine needles, typically in bundles of three and sometimes two, and as it matures it develops distinctive plates of exfoliating orange bark that many people say smell like butterscotch mixed with vanilla. The tree bears quite large pine cones armed with notably sharp spines, and it grows symmetrically with a strong central leader when young before gradually maturing into a more open, rounded form with age. Highly versatile, the Ponderosa Pine can be planted as an accent, for shade, or as part of a shelter belt, and it is native to much of western North America.

Description

Description

Additional information
Common Name

Ponderosa Pine

Latin Name

Pinus ponderosa

Form

Open Round

Life Span

100+

Growth Rate

Medium

Mature Height

18m

Mature Spread

7.5m

Flower Colour

Inconspicuous

Fragrance

Not significant

Fall Colour

Green

Soil Preference

Widely adaptable but will not tolerate standing water

Exposure Preference

Full sun

Cold Hardiness Zone

Zone 3

Special Attributes and Considerations

The tree is exceptionally drought tolerant. The tree can be messy dropping pine needles, pine cones and sap.

Folk Lore

A Scottish nurseryman, Charles Lawson has been credited with naming and describing these pines, although their scientific name was first coined by David Douglas in 1829.

Available Sizes

200cm