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| ## ponderosa pine {#ponderosa-pine .Title-Header}                     |
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| *Pinus ponderosa* P. & C. Lawson                                      |
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| Plant Symbol = PIPO                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plants Data
Center![](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.8715277777777777in"
height="2.825in"}

### 

##### Alternate Names  {#alternate-names .Header-3}

Big heavy, black jack, bull pine, ponderosa white pine, Sierra brown
bark pine, silver pine, western pitch pine, western red pine, western
yellow pine, yellow pine, Yosemite pine.

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Erosion control:* Ponderosa pine is a rapid growing tree with the
ability to firmly anchor into most soil types. For this reason, it is
suitable for use as a windbreak species. It can also be used with other
natives to provide cover and erosion control on rehabilitated sites.

*Ethnobotanic:* Native Americans used various parts of ponderosa pine
for medicinal, building and

household, food, and ceremonial purposes. Needles were used as
dermatological and gynecological aids.

They were also used to reduce coughs and fevers. The pitch was used as
an ointment for sores and scabby skin, backaches, rheumatism, earaches,
inflamed eyes, and as a sleeping agent for infants. The boughs of the
plant were used in sweat lodges for muscular pain, as decoctions for
internal hemorrhaging, and as infusions for pediatric treatments.

The roots of ponderosa pine were used to make blue dye and needles were
used as insulation for underground storage pits. The wood was used
extensively for fence posts, boards for general construction, and to
fabricate snowshoes. Single logs were used to make dugout canoes. Bark
was used to cover houses.

Most parts of the plant were used for food, including the pitch, seeds,
cones, bark, buds, and cambium. The pollen and needles were used in
healing ceremonies.

*Ornamental value:* Ponderosa pine has a lush green color and pleasant
odor that makes it popular for ornamental plantings. It has been
planted, sometimes out of its natural range, because of its aesthetic
qualities. Ponderosa pine is used as borders of forested highways, but
is not planted within the right-of-way. The large stature of the tree
limits its use to open spaces.

*Wildlife:* Red-winged blackbirds, chickadees, mourning doves, finches,
evening grosbeak, jays, Clark\'s nutcracker, nuthatches, rufous-sided
towhee, turkeys, chipmunks and squirrels consume the seeds of ponderosa
pine. Blue and spruce grouse use ponderosa pine needles for nesting
material. Mice, porcupines, and other rodents use the bark for nesting
material. The trees are also important to various birds for cover,
roosting and nesting sites.

*Wood production:* Ponderosa pine is one of the most important timber
species in the western United States. The annual production of ponderosa
pine is ranked third behind Douglas fir and hem-fir. Approximately 1.3
billion board feet of ponderosa pine lumber is produced annually out of
Oregon, the largest supplier in the United States. It is popularly used
for the construction of buildings.

**Description**

*General*: Pine Family (Pinaceae). Ponderosa pine is a large tree that
lives 300 to 600 years and reaches heights of 30 to 50 m tall and 0.6 to
1.3 m in diameter. The oldest trees can exceed 70 m in height and 2 m in
diameter. The bottom one-half of the straight trunk is typically without
branches. The crown of ponderosa pine is broadly conical to
round-shaped. The bark is characteristically orange-brown with a scaly
plate-like appearance. Twigs are stout, up to 2 cm think, orange-brown,
and rough. Needles are 12 to 28 cm long, thin and pointed with toothed
edges, occur in bundles of three, and give a tufted appearance to the
twig. Buds are up to 2 cm long, 1 cm wide, red-brown with white-fringed
scale margins. Male cones are orange or yellow and are located in small
clusters near the tips of the branches. The female cone is oval, woody,
8 to 15 cm long, with a small prickle at the tip of each scale.
Flowering occurs from April to June of the first year, and cones mature
and shed winged seeds in August and September of the second year.

*Distribution*: Ponderosa pine is distributed from southern British
Columbia through Washington, Oregon, and California, and east to the
western portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South
Dakota. For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Web site (http://plants.usda.gov).

*Habitat*: Ponderosa pine trees occur as pure stands or in mixed conifer
forests in the mountains. It is an important component of the Interior
Ponderosa Pine, Pacific Ponderosa Pine-Douglas fir, and Pacific
Ponderosa Pine forest cover types.

In the northwest, it is typically associated with Rocky Mountain Douglas
fir, lodgepole pine, grand fir, and western larch. In California it is
associated with California white fir, incense cedar, Jeffrey pine, sugar
pine, coast Douglas fir, California black oak, and western juniper. In
the Rocky Mountains and Utah, it is associated with Rocky Mountain
Douglas fir, blue spruce, lodgepole pine, limber pine, and quaking
aspen. In the Black Hills, it is associated with quaking aspen, white
spruce, and paper birch. In Arizona and New Mexico, it is associated
with white fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir, blue spruce, quaking aspen,
gamble oak, and southwestern white pine at higher elevations and Rocky
Mountain juniper, alligator juniper, and Utah juniper at lower
elevations (Oliver & Riker 1990).

Shrubs and grasses typically associated with ponderosa pine within its
range include ceanothus, sagebrush, oak, snowberry, bluestem, fescue,
and polargrass.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

The USDA hardiness zones for ponderosa pine range from 3 to 7. It grows
on a variety of soils from shallow to deep, and from gravelly sands to
sandy clay loam. It is found growing on bare rock with its roots in the
cracks and crevices. It has a low tolerance to alkalinity, preferring
soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. It grows best in zones with 30 to 60 cm
average annual precipitation on well-drained soils. Once established it
also survives hot and dry conditions, exhibiting medium to good drought
tolerance. Fifty percent shade reduces the growth rate significantly. It
withstands very cold winters.

Ponderosa pine is a climax species at the lower elevations of the
coniferous forest and a mid-successional species at higher elevations
where more competitive conifers are capable of growing. It generally
grows at elevations between sea level and 3,000 m. The populations at
higher elevations usually occur within the southern part of its range
(Oliver & Riker 1990).

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

##### Site preparation is needed to control competition, which compromises seedling survival and growth. Seeds are sown in late March to early April. The seed is sown for an initial density of 237 seedlings/m^2^ (22 seedlings/ft^2^). Transplant stock should be one or two years old, with less than 2 prior transplantings, and 15 to 30 cm in height. Space the plants 1 to 3 m apart depending on the site.  {#site-preparation-is-needed-to-control-competition-which-compromises-seedling-survival-and-growth.-seeds-are-sown-in-late-march-to-early-april.-the-seed-is-sown-for-an-initial-density-of-237-seedlingsm2-22-seedlingsft2.-transplant-stock-should-be-one-or-two-years-old-with-less-than-2-prior-transplantings-and-15-to-30-cm-in-height.-space-the-plants-1-to-3-m-apart-depending-on-the-site. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Initial seedling survival is reduced under moisture stress. Older seedlings can tolerate limited moisture. Competition from other vegetation should be controlled for the first three to six years until the trees become well established.  {#initial-seedling-survival-is-reduced-under-moisture-stress.-older-seedlings-can-tolerate-limited-moisture.-competition-from-other-vegetation-should-be-controlled-for-the-first-three-to-six-years-until-the-trees-become-well-established. .Header-3}

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Ponderosa pine can be over-irrigated in poorly drained soils, or drowned
out on high water table sites.

It responds well to thinning, which should be done as stands become
older to develop larger crowns, resulting in heavier seed crops for
wildlife. More forage for deer and elk become available from associated
plants by opening the canopy. The use of repellents or other control
measures may be necessary to prevent overuse of the trees by rodents.

Ponderosa pine is resistant to fire due to its thick bark. Low intensity
surface fires control competitive species like scrub oak and
shade-tolerant conifers. Ponderosa pine seedlings can also survive low
intensity burns.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

##### Approximately 200 insect species affect ponderosa pine from its cone stage to maturity. Pine cone beetles cause tree death by transmitting blue stain fungus to the tree. Their larvae also consume the phloem, restricting the flow of nutrients to the top of the tree.  {#approximately-200-insect-species-affect-ponderosa-pine-from-its-cone-stage-to-maturity.-pine-cone-beetles-cause-tree-death-by-transmitting-blue-stain-fungus-to-the-tree.-their-larvae-also-consume-the-phloem-restricting-the-flow-of-nutrients-to-the-top-of-the-tree. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### Western pine beetle is a common cause of death for older trees, drought stressed trees, and even healthy, vigorous trees during epidemics.  {#western-pine-beetle-is-a-common-cause-of-death-for-older-trees-drought-stressed-trees-and-even-healthy-vigorous-trees-during-epidemics. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Bark beetles are naturally present in all stands. Harvesting methods that leave large amounts of logging slash can allow bark beetle populations to explode and kill vigorous trees up to 0.5 m in diameter.  {#bark-beetles-are-naturally-present-in-all-stands.-harvesting-methods-that-leave-large-amounts-of-logging-slash-can-allow-bark-beetle-populations-to-explode-and-kill-vigorous-trees-up-to-0.5-m-in-diameter. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

##### The ponderosa pine budworm, also known as the sugar-pine tortrix, eats new needles on trees in New Mexico and Colorado. Several years' worth of damage will affect the health of the tree. Early research suggests that some insecticides may help to control infestations.  {#the-ponderosa-pine-budworm-also-known-as-the-sugar-pine-tortrix-eats-new-needles-on-trees-in-new-mexico-and-colorado.-several-years-worth-of-damage-will-affect-the-health-of-the-tree.-early-research-suggests-that-some-insecticides-may-help-to-control-infestations. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### Dwarf mistletoe is the most widespread parasite that causes branch and stem deformation. It germinates on ponderosa pine branches and forces its roots into the phloem of the host branch, creating stem cankers that leave the wood weak and unsuitable for use as lumber. This weakens the tree and leaves it susceptible to fungal infections and insect attacks. Root diseases, rusts, trunk decays, and needle and twig blights also cause significant damage. {#dwarf-mistletoe-is-the-most-widespread-parasite-that-causes-branch-and-stem-deformation.-it-germinates-on-ponderosa-pine-branches-and-forces-its-roots-into-the-phloem-of-the-host-branch-creating-stem-cankers-that-leave-the-wood-weak-and-unsuitable-for-use-as-lumber.-this-weakens-the-tree-and-leaves-it-susceptible-to-fungal-infections-and-insect-attacks.-root-diseases-rusts-trunk-decays-and-needle-and-twig-blights-also-cause-significant-damage. .Header-3}

##### Seeds and Plant Production {#seeds-and-plant-production .Header-3}

##### Ponderosa pine is propagated by seed. Cones are ready for collection in October and November when they turn reddish brown. Mature seed is firm and brown in color. Cones should be dried on canvas tarp in a well-ventilated area immediately after they have been collected. The seeds will drop from the cones as they dry. {#ponderosa-pine-is-propagated-by-seed.-cones-are-ready-for-collection-in-october-and-november-when-they-turn-reddish-brown.-mature-seed-is-firm-and-brown-in-color.-cones-should-be-dried-on-canvas-tarp-in-a-well-ventilated-area-immediately-after-they-have-been-collected.-the-seeds-will-drop-from-the-cones-as-they-dry. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### Several germination methods for ponderosa pine have been utilized, each with their own variations. In general, seeds undergo an imbibation treatment before stratification. Seeds are placed in mesh bags and soaked in cold running water for 48 hours. One variation is to soak the seeds in a 40% bleach solution for 10 minutes with hand agitation prior to placing them under running water. The mesh bags are place in plastic bags and stored at 1^o^C for 2 to 8 weeks. They should be checked daily for mold. Seeds are sown into containers and covered with media. The media should be kept moist throughout germination. Germination will occur at an average greenhouse temperature of 20^o^C. Alternating greenhouse temperatures of 21-25^o^C during the day and 16-18^o^C at night is an appropriate environment for germinating seeds. Germination will occur in approximately 15 days. {#several-germination-methods-for-ponderosa-pine-have-been-utilized-each-with-their-own-variations.-in-general-seeds-undergo-an-imbibation-treatment-before-stratification.-seeds-are-placed-in-mesh-bags-and-soaked-in-cold-running-water-for-48-hours.-one-variation-is-to-soak-the-seeds-in-a-40-bleach-solution-for-10-minutes-with-hand-agitation-prior-to-placing-them-under-running-water.-the-mesh-bags-are-place-in-plastic-bags-and-stored-at-1oc-for-2-to-8-weeks.-they-should-be-checked-daily-for-mold.-seeds-are-sown-into-containers-and-covered-with-media.-the-media-should-be-kept-moist-throughout-germination.-germination-will-occur-at-an-average-greenhouse-temperature-of-20oc.-alternating-greenhouse-temperatures-of-21-25oc-during-the-day-and-16-18oc-at-night-is-an-appropriate-environment-for-germinating-seeds.-germination-will-occur-in-approximately-15-days. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### Seedlings are thinned and watered daily throughout the establishment phase. They should not be moved outdoors until after the last frost of the year. {#seedlings-are-thinned-and-watered-daily-throughout-the-establishment-phase.-they-should-not-be-moved-outdoors-until-after-the-last-frost-of-the-year. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Seeds can be dried to between 5 and 8% moisture and placed in airtight plastic bags, then stored for long periods of time in freezers set at --15^o^C.  {#seeds-can-be-dried-to-between-5-and-8-moisture-and-placed-in-airtight-plastic-bags-then-stored-for-long-periods-of-time-in-freezers-set-at-15oc. .Header-3}

### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

##### References {#references .Header-3}

##### Agricultural Research Center. 2004. *GRIN taxonomy* (http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/index, 27 May 2004). USDA, Beltsville. {#agricultural-research-center.-2004.-grin-taxonomy-httpwww.ars-grin.govcgi-binnpgshtmlindex-27-may-2004.-usda-beltsville. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-9 .Header-3}

##### Banner, R. 2002. *Ponderosa pine* (http://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/Woody/ponderosapine.htm, 29 July, 2004). Utah State University Extension, Logan.  {#banner-r.-2002.-ponderosa-pine-httpextension.usu.edurangeplantswoodyponderosapine.htm-29-july-2004.-utah-state-university-extension-logan. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-10 .Header-3}

##### Forest Research Nursery. 2004. *Native plant network* (http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org, 27 May 2004). College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow. {#forest-research-nursery.-2004.-native-plant-network-httpwww.nativeplantnetwork.org-27-may-2004.-college-of-natural-resources-university-of-idaho-moscow. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-11 .Header-3}

##### Frankis, M.P. 1998. *Pinus ponderosa.* *Earle, C.J., Gymnosperm database* (http://www.conifers.org/, 27 May 2004). Bonn University, Bonn, Germany. {#frankis-m.p.-1998.-pinus-ponderosa.-earle-c.j.-gymnosperm-database-httpwww.conifers.org-27-may-2004.-bonn-university-bonn-germany. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-12 .Header-3}

##### Miller, A. 1997. *Ponderosa pine species facts* (http://www.wwpa.org/ppine.htm, 16 June 2004). Western Wood Products Association, Portland. {#miller-a.-1997.-ponderosa-pine-species-facts-httpwww.wwpa.orgppine.htm-16-june-2004.-western-wood-products-association-portland. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-13 .Header-3}

##### Moerman, D. 2003. *Native American ethnobotany database* (http://herb.umd.umich.edu/, 27 May 2004). University of Michigan, Dearborn. {#moerman-d.-2003.-native-american-ethnobotany-database-httpherb.umd.umich.edu-27-may-2004.-university-of-michigan-dearborn. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-14 .Header-3}

##### Oliver, W.W. and R.A. Ryker. 1990. *Ponderosa pine.* *Burns, R.M. and B.H. Honkala, Silvics of North America. Agriculture Handbook 654*. USDA Forest Service, Washington, D.C. {#oliver-w.w.-and-r.a.-ryker.-1990.-ponderosa-pine.-burns-r.m.-and-b.h.-honkala-silvics-of-north-america.-agriculture-handbook-654.-usda-forest-service-washington-d.c. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-15 .Header-3}

##### Rewerts, M.S. 2004. *Ponderosa pine budworm* (http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05567.html, 29 July, 2004). Colorado State University Extension, Fort Collins. {#rewerts-m.s.-2004.-ponderosa-pine-budworm-httpwww.ext.colostate.edupubsinsect05567.html-29-july-2004.-colorado-state-university-extension-fort-collins. .Header-3}

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

##### *Sarah Wennerberg* {#sarah-wennerberg .Header-3}

##### Formerly USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana {#formerly-usda-nrcs-national-plant-data-center-baton-rouge-louisiana .Header-3}

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Mark Skinner*

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

##### Edited: 29Jul2004 sbw; 20Oct2004 rln; 060802 jsp; 060830 jsp {#edited-29jul2004-sbw-20oct2004-rln-060802-jsp-060830-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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