Pinus ponderosa is commonly known as Western Yellow Pine, Bull Pine, Pondosa Pine, and Rick Pine. It is one of America’s most widely distributed pines in west Northern America. In addition to being a major source of timber, P. ponderosa forests are also important as wildlife habitat, for recreational use and for its aesthetic value. P. ponderosa is a fire-resistant, wind-firm tree adapted to warm and dry climates.

In the first growing season, P. ponderosa develops deep taproots-up to 50 cm in watered soil. In mature trees, roots to depths of more than 200 cm in coarse-textured soils, but less than 100cm in fine-textured soil. Roots are associated with both ecto- and endomycorrhizas.

The foliage is evergreen, usually in fascicles of three needles, 12 to 25 cm long, straight, stiff but flexible, very sharp, dark yellowish green, edges sharply toothed. P. ponderosa is monoecious. Flowering begins between May 1 and 10; pollen is shed May 25 to June 15, cones reach a full size of 8-15 cm from July 20 to August 10 of the next year, seed is ripe August 20 to September 5, cones begin to open September 1 to 13, and seed is shed in November.

Picture of P. ponderosa flower

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Picture of P.ponderosa tree and the cone






Environment and Geographic Distribution

P. ponderosa grows predominantly within drier and warmer temperate climates.

P. ponderosa is distributed in the Pacific, Cordilleran, Central regions of North America. It extends from southern Canada into Mexico, and from the Plains States of Nebraska and Oklahoma to the Pacific Coast. The natural latitude ranges approximately north to south from 52ºN to 25ºN.

Descriptors Distribution of P. ponderosa in US

Altitude range: 0-3050 m

Mean annual rainfall: 280-1750 mm

Rainfall regime: summer; winter

Dry season duration: 2-4 months

Mean annual temperature: 5-10°C

Mean maximum temperature of hottest month: 17-21°C

Mean minimum temperature of coldest month: -11-5ºC

Absolute minimum temperature:>-43ºC

P. ponderosa are found in Coniferous forests; dry forests; grasslands; mixed forests; mountain forests; savanna woodlands; sclerophyllous forests; sclerophyllous scrub.

Uses

Major product of the P. ponderosa is the wood. The wood is uniform in texture, moderately strong and hard. The heartwood is yellowish to reddish-brown and moderately decay-resistant. The sapwood is very wide and nearly white to pale yellow. The wood is used for window sashes and frames, sliding, door mouldings, paneling, patterns, cabinetwork, boxes and crates. Pinus ponderosa – ponderosa pine