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Lodgepole PinePinus contorta var. la

  • Lodgepole Pine evergreen
  • Lodgepole Pine - Pinus contorta v. latifolia
A handsome native pine with yellowish green to dark green needles, twisted in bundles of two. It has a long, slender, pole-like trunk with a short, narrow, cone shaped crown. The flaky, thin bark is orange brown to grey or black. Cone bearing starts early from 6-10 years of age and the 1 1/2" cones remain mostly unopened and attached on the tree for years. Also known as black pine, it can be quite ornamental when young. It is an important softwood commercial tree and valuable to wildlife. Lodgepole pine does best in full to light shade and adapts to a variety of soil types.

Hardiness Zones

The lodgepole pine can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4–8. View Map

Tree Type

Mature Size

The lodgepole pine grows to a height of 70–80' and a spread of around 20' at maturity.

Growth Speed Slow to Medium Growth Rate

This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.

Sun Preference

Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree, meaning it prefers a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

Soil Preference

The lodgepole pine grows in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained and clay soils.

Attributes

This tree:
  • Adapts to a variety of soil types.
  • Can be quite ornamental when young.
  • Has a long, slender, pole-like trunk.
  • Features yellowish-green to dark green needles that are twisted in bundles of 2.
  • Produces 1½" cones that remain mostly unopened and attached to the tree for years.
  • Begins to bear cones early, from 6–10 years of age.
  • Develops flaky, thin bark that is orange-brown to gray or black.
  • Grows in a rounded shape.

History/Lore

It is also known as the black pine.