The Ponderosa Pine, Pinus Ponderosa, will grow on
most soils including very sandy soils and sites with
very little topsoil. Once established, it is very
drought resistant. With good care, Ponderosa Pine
trees will grow to a height of six feet in six
years, starting with a 2 year old seedling. It is a
tall stately tree that is widely used in windbreaks.
The Ponderosa Pine is the most frequently planted of
the large, long-needled native pines.
The soft dark green needles, 6-10 inches long,
are arranged in bundles of three. Cones are 3 to 5
inches long. It is sometimes called Western Yellow
Pine or Bull Pine. This evergreen conifer tree
thrives in full sun and poor soil, and it is one of
the tallest and most important timber pines in the
western states.
