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Pinus flexilis is often confused with:
Pinus strobus Pinus strobus
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Pinus cembra Pinus cembra
Pinus glabra Form
Pinus ponderosa Pinus ponderosa
Pinus flexilis has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Rocky Mountain Pine Pinus flexilis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-nus FLEKS-il-iss
Description

Typically a dense pyramid when young, becoming more open with age.  Its needles live for 5 to 6 years.  It grows best in moist, well-drained soil, but is very adaptable to other situations.  When young, it is easy to transplant, however with age forms a large taproot.  It is a long-lived good shade tree.  Its young shoots can be bent without breaking. The branches are flexible, not as prone to storm damage as other pines.

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This tree is susceptible to wind damage, though somewhat resistant.  It is susceptible to white pine blister rust, a bark disease that is usually fatal.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Extra Blue'
    More intense blue color and fast growing
  • 'Glauca'
    More vivid blue-green needles
  • 'Glauca Pendula'
    Wise spread irrigular shrub, tends to sprawl.
  • 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
    Upright form, more rapid growth
'Extra Blue', 'Glauca', 'Glauca Pendula', 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
Tags:
#evergreen#shade tree#drought tolerant#conifer#winter interest#deer resistant#nighttime garden#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#larval host plant#dry soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Extra Blue'
    More intense blue color and fast growing
  • 'Glauca'
    More vivid blue-green needles
  • 'Glauca Pendula'
    Wise spread irrigular shrub, tends to sprawl.
  • 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
    Upright form, more rapid growth
'Extra Blue', 'Glauca', 'Glauca Pendula', 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
Tags:
#evergreen#shade tree#drought tolerant#conifer#winter interest#deer resistant#nighttime garden#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#larval host plant#dry soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinus
    Species:
    flexilis
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southwest Canada to western US
    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. Birds, browsers, and small mammals consume the seeds.
    Edibility:
    Edible fruit
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Erect cones when young, turn light brown.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    White
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark bluish-green needles in bundles of 5. All side have 3 to 4 white lines. Sharp-pointed.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Ridges
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Light gray, nearly smooth, becoming dark brown and cross-checkered with age into scaly plates and ridges.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Tough, smooth and flexible.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Screen/Privacy
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer