Pinus contorta var. latifolia
(Lodgepole Pine)
Pinus contorta var. latifolia, Cottonwood Pass Rd., Gunnison Co. 3716
Pinus contorta var. latifolia, Cottonwood Pass Rd., Gunnison Co. 3718
Pinus contorta var. latifolia, Cottonwood Pass Rd., Gunnison Co. 3720
Pinus contorta var. latifolia, Cottonwood Pass Rd., Gunnison Co. 3726
Pinus contorta var. latifolia, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 9985
Pinus contorta var. latifolia, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 9987
Pinus contorta var. latifolia, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 9973
Pinus contorta var. latifolia, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 9971
| Scientific Name | Pinus contorta var. latifolia | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PICOL |
| Common Name | Lodgepole Pine | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 529673 |
| Family | Pinaceae (Pine) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (7500 to 11600 ft.); wide range of ecological conditions: low to high elevations, dry to wet conditions, warm to cold temperatures, and on nearly every soil condition found in western North America; widespread and the dominant tree in montane forests of Colorado. Plant: Slender, mostly straight and evenly tapering tree with oblong to pyramid-shaped crown; grows to 45 to 150 ft. tall and trunk diameters over 30 inches, however very tall trees can have much smaller trunk diameters, e.g. 5 to 16 inches; at or above timberline reduced to shrub form by wind shear; bark is grayish to reddish brown and separating into loose plates; lower branches self-prune in dense stands but, dead branches may remain for several years. Trees average lasting 150 to 200 years, but can become over 400 years old. Needles: Two per fascicle, 1.2 to 2.8 inches long, yellowish-green, twisted. Cones: Male and female cones on same tree; male cones are orange to red becoming yellow at maturity; female cones are short-ovoid and slightly curved, 1.2 to 2.4 inches long, References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "The Alpine Flora of the Rocky Mountains" by Richard W. Scott and Fire Effects Information System. |
BONAP Distribution Map
Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains