Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa, Agric. Man.: 354 (1836))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: Douglas ex C.Lawson

Bibliography: Agric. Man.: 354 (1836)

Year: 1836

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pinus

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Canada to N. Mexico

Description

The Ponderosa pine, scientifically known as Pinus ponderosa, is a majestic conifer native to the vast regions spanning from southwestern Canada to northern Mexico. With its wide geographical distribution, this tree showcases remarkable adaptability to various climatic conditions, thriving in diverse environments ranging from mountainous terrains to valley plains.

Belonging to the Pinaceae family, the Ponderosa pine is distinguishable by its towering stature, often reaching heights of up to 70 meters. Its thick, reddish-brown bark, characterized by deep furrows and large plates, provides both an aesthetic appeal and protection against forest fires, a common occurrence in its natural habitats.

Douglas ex C.Lawson first documented this species in 1836 in his influential work, Agric. Man.: 354. Since then, the Ponderosa pine has been extensively studied and valued not only for its ecological significance but also for its economic utility. The wood from this pine is highly prized in the construction industry due to its strength and versatility, making it an essential resource in building projects and furniture manufacturing.

Beyond its practical uses, the Ponderosa pine plays a crucial role in its ecosystem. Its presence supports a diverse array of wildlife, providing shelter and food for numerous bird species, insects, and mammals. Additionally, these trees contribute to soil stabilization and water conservation, underlining their importance in maintaining the environmental balance.

In conclusion, the Ponderosa pine, with its striking physical features and multifaceted contributions to both nature and human enterprise, stands as a remarkable example of the symbiosis between a species and its environment. Its enduring presence across North America continues to inspire admiration and respect, solidifying its status as an ecological and economic cornerstone.

Common Names

Deu: gelbkiefer, goldkiefer
Nld: gele den, westerse gele den
Dan: gul fyr
Nor: gullfuru
Hun: nyugati sárgafenyo
Ita: pino dell’ arizona, pino giallo, pino ponderoso
Eng: ponderosa pine, western yellow pine, western yellow-pine, blackjack pine, bull pine, rock pine, yellow pine, yellow-pine
Ces: borovice težká
Fra: pin jaune, pin ponderosa, pin à bois lourd, pitchpin à bois lourd, pin lourd
Spa: pinabete, pino amarillo, pino real
Por: pinheiro-branco-da-califórnia, pinheiro-pesado, pinheiro-vermelho, pinho-amarelo
Nob: gullfuru
Nno: gullfuru
Swe: gultall
Cym: pinwydden gochfrig
En: Ponderosa pine, Western Yellow pine, Western Yellow-pine, Blackjack pine, Bull pine, Rock pine, Yellow pine, Yellow-pine
Cs: Borovice težká
Da: Gul fyr
Nl: Gele den, Westerse gele den
Fr: Pin jaune, Pin ponderosa, Pin à bois lourd, Pitchpin à bois lourd, Pin lourd
De: Gelbkiefer, Goldkiefer
Hu: Nyugati sárgafenyo
It: Pino dell’ Arizona, Pino giallo, Pino ponderoso
No: Gullfuru
Nb: Gullfuru
Nn: Gullfuru
Pt: Pinheiro-branco-da-califórnia, Pinheiro-pesado, Pinheiro-vermelho, Pinho-amarelo
Es: Pinabete, Pino amarillo, Pino real
Sv: Gultall
Cy: Pinwydden Gochfrig

Synonyms

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Oregon (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Washington (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Sep 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Lourdes Koch (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Frank Amorin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 24, 2018 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 25, 2018 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 9, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Christophe Christophe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2019 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2022 by albert hines (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Lourdes Koch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by maho maho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Lourdes Koch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2020 by del moral javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2022 by riesmeier cliff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Kevin Brown (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 18, 2021 by Andreas Schmid (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Andreas Schmid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Lourdes Koch (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 5, 2019 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Michel Gaubert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Michel Gaubert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:307165-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5285053)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C.Lawson)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 9.0

Ph minimum: 5.0