Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine or Yellow Pine)

Photographs

My photos:

These two photos are from Idyllwild County Park, March.

More photos:

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Pinaceae

In the garden:

Ponderosa Pine is an evergreen which grows from 50 to 200 feet tall. Branches are short and are generally turned up at the ends. Mature trees have large plates of yellowish-red bark, while younger trees are ashen gray with small bark scales. Needles are in clusters of 3 and are a green to yellow green in color. The cones of this species are prickly to the touch, which helps to distinguish them from the Pinus jeffreyi. Also, they are from 4 to 5 inches in length. This long lived pine needs a great deal of room. A moderate to rapid grower which is very hardy, but it is not good in desert heat and wind. A bushy, attractive tree at all ages. Eventually for a large garden only. Small trees make a fine bonsai or large container tree. A tree to plant for posterity as it is long-lived, requiring space and time for development.

In the wild:

It forms large, park-like forests. The principal tree in mixed conifer forests, from 5,000 to 7,500 feet. Mature trees with thick bark can withstand fire. It grows from Mexico to British Columbia to the Mid-West. Small mammals that eat stems and roots include deer mice, chipmunks, shrews, voles, and tree and ground squirrels. Large browse mammals include elk, deer, porcupines, hares, rabbits, cattle, sheep, and occasionally horses, goats, and feral hogs. Many bird species eat Pacific ponderosa pine seeds. These include the junco, Cassin's finch, pine siskin, evening grosbeak, varied thrush, Clark's nutcracker, and a host of sparrows, chickadees, and other passerines.

Ethnobotany:

Its wood is hard, strong, and much used for many types of construction.

Native people used the needles in basketry, and the bark for temporary shelters.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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