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EXPLORE > PLANTS > GYMNOSPERMS
Pinus ponderosa
There are five subspecies of this coniferous tree. Pinus ponderosa ponderosa is the one common to the central and eastern parts of Oregon. Pinus ponderosa pacifica can be found in limited coastal areas of southwestern Oregon.
The tree is easily recognizable by its distinctive bark, which grows in large plates separated by dark crevices and smells strongly of turpentine. In young trees, these plates will be dark brown to black. In older trees, the bark will be dark yellow or a reddish-brown. Early lumberjacks to the Pacific Northwest nicknamed this tree the “blackjack” in reference to its dark bark. The heavy bark makes the ponderosa pine very resistant to wildfire, and in fact the tree relies on occasional fires to activate its seed cones, and suppress other tree species, which may compete with it for space.
The straight trunk grows up to 200 feet (60.9 m) in height and is topped by a cylindrical crown. The needles of Pinus ponderosa ponderosa are the longest of all the subspecies, growing up to 8 inches in length (20.3 cm) and are grayish-green in color.
The tree was heavily used by indigenous people who ate its seeds and used its pitch as both a waterproofing agent and an adhesive. Today, ponderosa pine is widely used in the production of furniture and home construction.
Distribution
There are some scattered stands of this tree in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, although most occur on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. The tree grows best at higher elevations and is closely associated with mountain ecosystems. It can occasionally be found as an ornamental tree in public parks or around homes.
Conservation Status
Common.
Pinus ponderosa
There are five subspecies of this coniferous tree. Pinus ponderosa ponderosa is the one common to the central and eastern parts of Oregon. Pinus ponderosa pacifica can be found in limited coastal areas of southwestern Oregon.
The tree is easily recognizable by its distinctive bark, which grows in large plates separated by dark crevices and smells strongly of turpentine. In young trees, these plates will be dark brown to black. In older trees, the bark will be dark yellow or a reddish-brown. Early lumberjacks to the Pacific Northwest nicknamed this tree the “blackjack” in reference to its dark bark. The heavy bark makes the ponderosa pine very resistant to wildfire, and in fact the tree relies on occasional fires to activate its seed cones, and suppress other tree species, which may compete with it for space.
The straight trunk grows up to 200 feet (60.9 m) in height and is topped by a cylindrical crown. The needles of Pinus ponderosa ponderosa are the longest of all the subspecies, growing up to 8 inches in length (20.3 cm) and are grayish-green in color.
The tree was heavily used by indigenous people who ate its seeds and used its pitch as both a waterproofing agent and an adhesive. Today, ponderosa pine is widely used in the production of furniture and home construction.
Distribution
There are some scattered stands of this tree in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, although most occur on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. The tree grows best at higher elevations and is closely associated with mountain ecosystems. It can occasionally be found as an ornamental tree in public parks or around homes.
Conservation Status
Common.
