Pinus contorta var. latifolia (Rocky Mountain Lodgepole Pine)

Pinus contorta var. latifolia (Rocky Mountain Lodgepole Pine) is a tall evergreen conifer of columnar habit with a long trunk and cone-shaped crown. Stiff and often twisted, yellow-green to dark green needles, 2-3 in. long (5-7 cm), are borne in pairs and persist 4 to 8 years on the tree. The small egg-shaped seed cones, up to 2 in. long (5 cm), are lustrous tan to pale red-brown and may never open since sealed with resin. Borne in pairs or clusters, they are twisted at the base and tend to point backwards. Their scales are noted for having a sharp prickle at their tips. The bark is orange to reddish-brown, thin and scaly. A slow to moderate grower, less than 24 in. per year (60 cm).

• Grows up to 40-50 ft. tall and wide (12-15 m).
• Performs best in full sun in acid or neutral, well-drained soils. Exists on a variety of soils and sites, including wet depressions.
• No pruning required.
• Keep an eye out for adelgids, aphids, sawflies, pine shoot moth and pine needle cast.
• Propagate by seed.
• Native from the coast of Alaska along the Pacific to northern California.