Page authors: Ben Legler, David Giblin
Pinus contorta
lodgepole pine
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and South Dakota.

Habitat: Dry montane forests, rocky balds, coastal bluffs and sand dunes, and sphagnum bogs.

Cones: April-June

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Description:
General:

Small tree 10-30 meters tall; crown rounded and billowy to narrow and straight.

Bark:

Thin, to 2-2.5 cm thick; reddish brown to gray or black, furrowed or scaly.

Leaves:

Needle-like, 3-6 cm long, in fascicles (groups) of 2 born alternately along stem.

Cones:

Female cones 3-6 cm long, scales with sharply pointed tip; male pollen cones to 1 cm long, reddish-green.

Identification Notes:

The only pine in our area with normally 2 needles per fascicle; cones are spine-tipped. Pinus albicaulis can look similar in appearance, but has 5 needles per fascicle, cone scales without spiny tips, and grows at high elevations.

Accepted Name:
Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon
Publication: Arbor. Frutic. Brit. 4: 2292, figs. 2210, 2211. 1838.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
(none provided)
Infraspecies:
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Pinus contorta in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.

WA Flora Checklist: Pinus contorta checklist entry.

OregonFlora: Pinus contorta information.

E-Flora BC: Pinus contorta atlas page.

CalPhotos: Pinus contorta photos.

USDA Plants: Pinus contorta information.

53 photographs:
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