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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Pinus clausa Form
Pinus palustris Pinus palustris
Pinus strobus Pinus strobus
Pinus contorta var. latifolia has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers
Striped Pine Scale

Rocky Mountain Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta var. latifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-nus con-TOR-tah var. la-ti-FO-lee-ah
Description

Lodgepole Pine is a large columnar needled evergreen tree native to the western U.S.A. and Canada from Alaska south and east to SD, UT and CO. The seed cones often stay closed but open after a fire to reforest an area.

This tree prefers moist to dry well-drained loams in full sun.

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This tree is susceptible to wind damage.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Chief Joseph'
    Semi-dwarf
'Chief Joseph'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#large tree#needled evergreen#nighttime garden#larval host plant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Chief Joseph'
    Semi-dwarf
'Chief Joseph'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#large tree#needled evergreen#nighttime garden#larval host plant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinus
    Species:
    contorta
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used the tree for supports for teepees, lodges and other buildings.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western USA and Canada
    Distribution:
    AK , CO , ID , MT , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY Canada: AB , BC , NT , SK , YT
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    1-2 inch egg-shaped cones are armed with deciduous prickles. They are stalkless, or nearly so, and frequently point back toward the base of the branch.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The 1.5- 2.5 inches long green to yellow-green needles occur 2 per fascicle and are commonly twisted. They persist 4-8 years with a persistent sheath.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Bark Description:
    Dark gray to reddish-brown thin bark in loose plates
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Winter Garden
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds