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Lodgepole PinePinus contorta var. la
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 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.