how to draw a ponderosa pine tree

Increase your knowledge of ponderosa pine trees, what they look like, how they differ from other pine trees, where they usually grow, and the conditions in which they thrive.

Pinus Ponderosa

The ponderosa pine is a tree native to the most mountainous regions of North America. They are also the most widely distributed tree species in North America. This tree is both the city tree of Spokane, Washington, and the state tree of Montana.

This very large pine tree is also sometimes referred to as the bull pine, blackjack pine, western yellow pine, or the Filipinos pine. They are a dominant coniferous tree in the hardwood forests of Canada and the United States. There are several subspecies of pinus ponderosa.

These trees are valued for their lumber and for their contribution to the tree planting industry. This is because they are incredibly fast-growing and grow to be very impressive heights. The tallest ponderosa pine is 81.77 meters tall. Usually, with a life expectancy of 300-500, the oldest ponderosa is said to be 933 years old!

Reaching the ponderosa pine in our extensive list of 101 Types of Trees is a landmark! These trees are a very important member of the forest biomes of North America. Check out what other trees we explore or learn more about the Bristlecone Pine Tree, White Pine Tree, Red Pine Tree, or Scots Pine Tree.

What do Ponderosa Pine Trees Look Like?

Root System

The root systems that the ponderosa pine develop make them very resilient to the windbreak. They have extremely wide-spreading lateral roots, coupled with an absolutely massive taproot.

Taproots grow deep into the earth (in this case, 2 meters deep) not only to ensure the tree is never uprooted by storm but also in order to access moisture reserves deep in the earth if there is ever a drought.

Dimensions

Ponderosa pines are very large trees. Their average height can reach anywhere from 35 to 50 meters tall, with an average trunk diameter of 8 meters around. The tallest ponderosa reaches a height of 81.77 meters.

Their height will also entirely depend on their growing region. When growing in lower elevation sites they tend to be taller, and in higher elevations, they will grow to be slightly shorter. As long as they have full sun exposure, they will grow very quickly and with vigor.

Growth Pattern

The ponderosa pine has a very straight trunk with little tapering. The trunk is branch-free for a large amount of its length. The crown is irregularly cylindrical and wide, and usually has a flat top on a mature tree.

Branches are rather stout. The branches occurring on the lower half of the tree are usually drooping, and the upper branches have an ascending pattern on an older tree.

Bark

The easiest way to identify a ponderosa pine tree is through its bark, as it is quite different from the bark of other pine trees. Mature trees have yellow/orange bark that grows in broad plates, accentuating the black crevices between the plates.

Bark on young trees is brown/black that grows in large plates as well. This feature is what earned the tree the nickname "blackjack pine" by early loggers. It is said that the bark smells strongly of either turpentine or vanilla. The jury is out on this one!

Foliage

Ponderosa pine leaves are needle-like. They grow in fascicles of 3 and are very long — about 8 inches long to be exact. They are a bright blue/green color, are long, flexible, but very pointy and sharp.

These long needles grow from stout, hairless twigs that begin their life as a yellow/green color, and eventually, mature into an orange/brown. Winter buds are 15-20mm in length, and ovoid and sharply pointed.

How do Ponderosa Pine Trees Reproduce?

Cones

Pine trees are monoecious, meaning that both female cones and male cones occur on the same tree. Though they do not usually engage in self-pollination (to ensure genetic diversity) they are wind-pollinated.

Seed cones (ovule producing – female characteristics) are pendulous and grow in groups of 3. They are around 7-15cm long and are ovoid in shape. They are a striking red/brown color and have thick scales that have very sharp pricks at the end.

Seed cones open when they are mature (they do this by drying out, creating open areas for seeds to disperse) and fall in the wintertime.

Pollen cones (pollen-producing – male characteristics) are erect and grow individually. They are slightly smaller than seed cones and are a similar shape, color, with a similar cone scale as well. They also open upon maturity to release pollen.

It takes cones about 2 years to become fully mature. The tree "flowers" from April to June, the cones are pollinated, then they open at maturity around August and September of the second year.

Seeds

Ponderosa pine trees produce seed crops every 2-3 years because of this lengthy period of maturity. They will produce very productive crops every 8 years.

Winged seeds are very dark brown and about 7mm long. They are accompanied by boat-shaped terminal wings that are 20mm long and light brown.

Where do Ponderosa Pine Trees Grow?

Ponderosa pines occur naturally in the western parts of North America. They are the most dominant tree in the ponderosa-shrub forest. They grow most commonly and prosperously in elevations between 1300 meters and 800 meters above sea levels.

There are ponderosa pine forests in Nebraska, Oregon, eastern Washington, South Dakota, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and British Columbia, Canada. One of the most impressive groves can be found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where 1 million acres of ponderosa pines can be found. Another impressive grove is in the Sierra Nevada.

They tend to grow in pure stands when found at lower elevations (because they beat out all other plant species when it comes to forest resilience) and they are found growing with Douglas fir, western larch, and other mixed conifers in higher elevations.

What are the Growing Conditions of the Ponderosa Pine?

Soil

Ponderosa pines are tolerant of a great many soil types. They prefer to have well-drained soils, and can tolerant very dry sites – they do not need much soil moisture. They prefer soil that is derived from igneous rock, metamorphic, and sedimentary.

Water

Ponderosa pine trees don't really have moisture requirements, as they are extremely resilient to drought (thanks to their taproot)! They are dominant in warm and dry sites with short growing seasons and very low annual precipitation.

Sun Exposure

Pine trees are completely shade-intolerant, which is not at all uncommon for coniferous trees. Since they do not go dormant in the winter, they require full sun all day in order to survive.

Temperature

Ponderosa pines are also very adaptable to different extreme temperatures. They can survive in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 100!

What are the Damaging Agents of Ponderosa Pines?

Mountain Pine Beetle

Ponderosa pines are vulnerable to the mountain pine beetle which causes something called blue stain fungus. The insect damage comes from the larvae of the beetle which consumes the phloem of the tree. Though it is not a quick death, it can cause death if it goes untreated.

Western Bark Beetle

The western pine beetles and their larvae will infest a tree, making it their habitat and over-browsing on the trees' bark and foliage until it no longer has enough nutrients to survive.

Fire Damage

Ponderosa pine seedlings are very vulnerable to fire damage and are regularly killed by fires. However, mature trees are incredibly resilient to forest fires. They possess very thick bark that protects them, and their open crown and tendency to self prune reduce fuel ladders, ultimately stopping a fire from consuming an entire tree.

Prescribed fire is also commonly arranged to help balance the natural forest ecology where ponderosa pines are dominant. Opening the forest floor to sun exposure will help rebalance the ecosystem.

Dwarf Mistletoe

Dwarf mistletoe is a notorious parasite to coniferous forests. This invasive parasitic plant is a small, leafless flowering plant that invades the tree and drains the tree's nutrients and water. It is noticed by small witches broom growths at the site of their invasion.

How are Ponderosa Pines Used?

Wood

Ponderosa pine wood has yellow to red/brown heartwood, and a creamy white to pale yellow sapwood. The wood is strong, hard, and uniform. It doesn't usually experience swelling or shrinkage, making it very valuable for close-fitting jobs.

Ponderosa pine wood is used for window frames, door moldings, paneling, cabinetry, boxes, crates, furniture, flooring, and roof decking.

Wildlife

Ponderosa pine seeds are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, quail, grouse, and many bird species. Seedlings are eaten by mule deer, and big game like moose and elk will often use these trees for shelter and winter food.

Ponderosa pine needles are also one of the only known sources of food for the caterpillar of the gelechiid moth (chionodes retiniella).

Ethnobotany

Certain First Nations communities have traditionally used the inner bark of the ponderosa pine for food and for its resin. Oils are also extracted and used as a medical salve to help treat things like dandruff, backaches, and rheumatism.

FAQs

How can you tell a ponderosa pine?

Another way to tell is by its needles. Ponderosa pine leaves are needle-like. They grow in fascicles of 3 and are very long — about 8 inches long to be exact. They are a bright blue/green color, are long, flexible, but very pointy and sharp.

Is ponderosa pine hardwood or softwood?

Ponderosa pine wood is a softwood because of its workability, but it is valued as a hardwood because of its strength and lack of warping.

Where is the largest ponderosa pine forest?

Colorado has the most amount of ponderosa pine trees that are widely distributed, but Arizona accounts for the largest ponderosa pine forest.

How deep are ponderosa pine tree roots?

The root systems that the ponderosa pine develop make them very resilient to the windbreak. They have extremely wide-spreading lateral roots, coupled with an absolutely massive taproot.

How long do ponderosa pine trees live?

Ponderosa pines can live to be between 400 and 500 years if they are not tampered with. The oldest known ponderosa pine is 933 years old! Either way, these large trees are proud members of the old growth.

How fast do ponderosa pine trees grow?

Ponderosa pine trees can grow anywhere between 12 to 36 inches within a year depending on their growing location.

How tall do ponderosa pine trees get?

The average height for a ponderosa pine is around 35-50 meters, though the tallest on record reached 81.77 meters! That is one large tree!

Do ponderosa pine trees smell like vanilla?

It is said that one of the easiest ways to identify that ponderosa pine is by its smell! The bark will smell like vanilla or butterscotch, which is probably due to the resin present.

When do ponderosa pine trees shed their needles?

Ponderosa pines are evergreen trees, meaning that they do not drop their foliage seasonally. A needle will stay present on a pine tree for anywhere up to 8 years! Otherwise, the needles may drop because of an environmental disturbance.

How do you prune ponderosa pine trees?

Ponderosa pine trees are actually self-pruning, meaning that they will kill off their own branches that are either growing too close to the ground or are sickly or growing in an awkward direction.

So this means that the tree does not need help by being pruned by a human. Pruning is entirely up to the discretion of the landowner. However, it is best to avoid pruning in the winter months as the tree will consistently leak sap from the cut wound.

Why is the ponderosa pine Montana's state tree?

The ponderosa pine tree was elected Montana's state tree in 1802 by a group of school children who claimed that they preferred the appearance of the ponderosa pine to the Douglas fir tree.

When does tree pollen season end for the ponderosa pine?

The ponderosa pine tree "flowers" from April to June, the cones are pollinated, then they open at maturity around August and September of the second year.

How does a ponderosa pine smell differ from a regular pine tree?

Ponderosa pine trees tend to have a much warmer and sweeter scent than other species of pine trees, which have a much more fresh and sharp smell to them.

How much water does a juniper tree use compared to a ponderosa pine?

Both juniper trees and ponderosa pine trees occur naturally in areas that have very dry sites, warm temperatures, and low annual precipitation. Though they are both very tolerant to drought and can survive long dry seasons, they will perform very well when they receive water!

Where is the tallest ponderosa pine tree?

In La Pine State Park in Oregon lives "Big Red", who is the tallest known ponderosa pine tree on the planet. It has reached a height of 81.77 meters.

At what elevation do ponderosa pine trees grow?

What's the difference between lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine?

The lodgepole pine (pinus contorta) and the ponderosa pine are very similar looking, though if you look closely you can tell the difference. The lodgepole pine will have shorter and darker needles, as well as lighter in texture and darker colored bark than the ponderosa pine tree.

What's the difference between a sugar pine and a ponderosa pine?

The easiest way to tell the difference between a sugar pine tree and a ponderosa pine tree is by their needles. Though the needles look very similar, sugar pine needles grow in clusters of 5, whereas ponderosa pine needles grow in clusters of 3.

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Source: https://www.homestratosphere.com/what-is-a-ponderosa-pine-tree/