Pinus monticola

Habit: this symmetrical pine grows straight with a narrow conical crown with horizontal branches, becoming broad and flattened. In the open it may have a more rounded form with wide-reaching branches. Bark is gray to reddish-brown and furrowed and scaly appearing to be broken into rectangles. The needlelike leaves are bluish green with a white line (stomatal lines) on both the upper and lower surfaces. The needles are finely serrated each being 1.5-4 in (4-10 cm) long and held in fascicles of 5. Pendulous cones formed at the end of the branches are slender and long, 8 in (20 cm), with thin, flexible scales.

Ecology: found in Western North America from British Columbia south into California, typically growing in moist montane forests also occurs in river bottoms, and on dry less steep lower slopes, elevation from sea level to 5000 ft (1524 m).

Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade in moist to semi dry soil. Thriving on a dry, sandy site.

Pinus monticola provides habitat for a variety of mammals, birds, and insects. It is recommended as a reforestation tree. Very long-lived, 400+ years.