Pinus contorta - Lodgepole Pines & Shore Pines

Lodgepole Pine Description

Lodgepole Pine is native to western Canada down through California. It is conical or dome-shaped, and in coastal areas, with high winds and salt spray it can become contorted with a windswept appearance. The dark green to yellowish-green, 2”-3” long needles grow in tufts at the ends of the branches, and the 3”round seed cones are pale brown and persistent. Pinus contorta grows at a rate of about 12” per year, and becomes 25’-30’H × 20’-25’W at maturity. It does best in full sun, in average, acidic, well-draining soils. Lodgepole Pine is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8.