They cover about 80 percent of the forested land in the northern and central Rocky Mountains on the lower reaches of the subalpine fir zone and within the Douglas fir stands. They may also be found in the salt spray zone of the Pacific Coast ranging from sea level to an elevation of 2,400 m. To understand a lodgepole forest, stand back and look at it from a distance. Lower branches die out with the shade and leave the trunk with only a topknot of live branches. Lodgepole pines are especially adapted to fire. Some of the cones are sealed by a resin that melts when heated by a forest fire.
Cone scales open and seeds fall onto the bare ground that is rich with nutrients in the ash.
Exposed to the sky, which supplies rain and sun, the seeds have perfect conditions for germination and growth. If there are no fires and conditions are right, the lodgepole will die out, leaving behind the spruce and fir community. Pure stands of lodgepole may persist if the site is too dry, moist, steep, or fire-prone for spruce and fir. Lodgepole pines are characterized by their long straight poles. Lodgepole pines are especially appealing to the mountain pine beetle.