ponderosa pine
(Pinus ponderosa)
Conservation • Wetland • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Wetland Indicator Status |
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| Great Plains | UPL - Obligate upland |
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| Northcentral & Northeast | UPL - Obligate upland |
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Description |
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Ponderosa pine is a very common and widespread coniferous tree rising on a straight trunk from a vigorous taproot and a deep root system. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived, often reaching ages of 300 to 600 years. The variety most likely to be found in Minnesota is 40′ to 78′ in height and up to 59″ in diameter at breast height. On young trees (less than 100 years old) the bark is grayish-black and scaly. On older trees the bark is orangish-brown and furrowed into flat, broadly rectangular, scaly plates. There are usually three, sometimes only two, 4″ to 6¾″ long needles per bundle (fascicle). The seed cones are 3″ to 6″ long. Each scale on the seed cone is armed with a sharp spine. _____________________ The description above refers to Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum). |
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Height |
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40′ to 78′ |
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Record |
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No record is kept for nonnative species |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Mostly in pure stands in mountains; also in mixed coniferous forests. In Minnesota, individuals planted in parks and cemeteries. |
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Ecology |
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Flowering |
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May 25 to June 15 |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 5/26/2023 | ||||
Nativity |
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Native to western United States and Canada, including North Dakota and South Dakota. Occasionally planted in Minnesota. |
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Occurrence |
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Ponderosa pine is the most widespread and the most common pine in North America. It is common and widespread in western United States, rare in Minnesota. |
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Taxonomy |
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| Kingdom | Plantae (green algae and land plants) | ||
| Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) | ||
| Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants and green algae) | ||
| Superdivision | Embryophyta (land plants) | ||
| Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants) | ||
| Subdivision | Spermatophytina (seed plants) / Angiospermae (flowering plants) | ||
| Class | Pinopsida (conifers) | ||
| Subclass | Pinidae | ||
Order |
Pinales (conifers) | ||
Family |
Pinaceae (pine) | ||
| Subfamily | Piceoideae or (Pinoideae [pines, spruces, larches, and allies]) | ||
Genus |
Picea (pines) | ||
| Subgenus | Pinus (hard pines) | ||
| Section | Trifoliae (American hard pines) | ||
| Subsection | Ponderosae | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. benthamiana) ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. brachyptera) ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa) Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum) |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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blackjack pine bull pine ponderosa pine rock pine western yellow pine yellow pine |
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Glossary
Fascicle
A small bundle or cluster, often sheathed at the base, as with pine needles.
Visitor Photos |
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Randy |
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Ponderosa pine, Freeborn County, MN, 2016 |
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Ponderosa pine, Freeborn Co, December 2016 |
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Ponderosa pine bark, Freeborn Co, December 2016 |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Pinus ponderosa Blake C. Willson |
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About
Ponderosa Pine |
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| Ponderosa Pine - Tree Spot No. 1 Nebraska Forest Service |
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About
Published on Oct 10, 2014 Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), also called western yellow pine, is one of the most widely distributed pines in western North America. A major source of timber, ponderosa pine forests are also important as wildlife habitat, for recreational use, and for esthetic values. Within its extensive range, two varieties of the species currently are recognized: Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa (Pacific ponderosa pine) (typical) and var. scopulorum (Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine) (10). Arizona pine (P. arizonica), sometimes classified as a variety of ponderosa pine (12,36,51), is presently recognized as a separate species (45). |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Trees with Don Leopold - ponderosa pine ESFTV |
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About
Published on Oct 21, 2011 |
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| Ponderosa Pine Tree CSUExtension |
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About
Published on Mar 29, 2016 Music by bensound.com Deryn Davidson, Horticulture Agent, Boulder County Colorado, discusses the Ponderosa Pine tree. |
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| Ponderosa Pine / Pinus ponderosa Doug's Plant World |
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About
Published on Feb 1, 2016 |
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| Ponderosa Pine | Fire Ecology Exploring the Nature of Wyoming | UWyo Extension |
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About
Uploaded on Jan 5, 2009 Fire is a naturally occurring phenomena in Ponderosa Pine dominated plant communities. Exploring the Nature of Wyoming is produced by: http://www.uwyo.edu/uwe/programs/ag-and-natural-resources.html If you have range management questions we can help: |
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| 38 PonderosaPine TeddyHildebrant Grand Junction ParksandRec |
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About
Published on Oct 19, 2012 Lincoln Park Arboretum, Lincoln Park, Grand Junction, Colorado |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this plant. |
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| Randy 2016 |
Location: Freeborn Co., MN Ponderosa pine |
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| Randy December 2016 |
Location: Freeborn Co. Ponderosa pine |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 12/24/2016
Last Updated: