Ponderosa Pine Tree

A large-crowned tree with a straight trunk, the mighty Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is an incredibly hardy native Conifer, and has many names depending on what state this tree grows natively! From Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, Western Yellow, and more! When warmed in the sun, the bark smells like vanilla, and young twigs have an orangey-citrus scent!

With good care, Ponderosa Pine trees will grow to a height of six feet in six years, starting with a 2-year-old seedling. Nature Hills ships mature root systems that will get established faster in your landscape! These trees then steadily grow into magnificent specimens! Reaching soaring heights of 65-80 feet tall and 30-40 feet in width when planted in optimal conditions.

The Ponderosa Pine is the most frequently planted of the large, long-needled native western Pine species. The soft dark green needles, 6-10 inches long, are arranged in bundles of three. Cones are 3 to 5 inches long and feed a wide variety of songbirds and wildlife!

Being a major source of timber, the wood is straight-grained, nonporous with a fine and uniform texture, and light in color, ranging from cream to yellow to pale reddish-brown. Ponderosa Pine forests are also important as wildlife habitats, for recreational use, and for aesthetic values. It is a slow-growing, large evergreen that lives 300 to 600 years throughout many states in the US Planting Zones 3 to 7!

Planting and Application:

The strong evergreen branches of the Ponderosa Pine will become a unique and prominent specimen and lawn tree. The long needles are great at absorbing sound from trains and busy streets. These are fantastic evergreens for urban roadways and interchanges. shrugging off occasional salt spray.

This large evergreen will screen undesirable views, and it is a tall stately tree that is widely used in windbreaks and protect your home from strong winds. Follow the old farmer's trick of planting a staggered or zig-zagged, to block the prevailing winds or drifting snow that blasts your property.

For a full screen of mature-sized trees, you'll measure at least 20 feet between the trunk of each tree. You can vary the spacing for a more natural look, however, if you want the tips of the trees to overlap slightly - don't plant more than 20 feet apart. Mix with other broad-leaved evergreens for year-round greenery.

• Long Dark Green Needles
• Fragrant Stems & Rough Plated Bark
• Long-Lived & Large-Scale Wildlife Natives
• 3-6 Inch Long Pine Cones For Birds & Crafts
• Great for Windbreaks, Habitat Restoration, Wildlife & Specimens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This Evergreen Conifer tree thrives in full sun and poor soil, and the Ponderosa is one of the tallest and most important timber pines in the Western States. They are salt tolerant and able to withstand dry conditions. Even thriving in most soils including very sandy soils and sites with very little topsoil. Once established, it is very drought-resistant.

Native to mountain and plateau regions of the U.S., the Ponderosa Pine develops a taproot early in life that enables the tree to survive stressful conditions such as extended drought. Water new trees regularly but back off after their first year, and deep winter watering in colder climates. Provide a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch over the entire root system. Candle prune in the spring to keep young trees growing denser and more compact. Each fall, the oldest needles turn yellow and drop from the plant.

• Fast Growing in Full Sun
• Widely Adaptable In Well-Drained Soil
• Moderate Moisture Needs
• Candle Prune In The Spring
• Road Salt Tolerant

Plant the mighty Ponderosa Pine Tree in your landscape and boost your local ecology and wildlife with a hardy native evergreen fortress! Available now at Nature Hills Nursery!