Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta var. latifolia

Discover Lodgepole Pine!

Did you know that the Lodgepole Pine is native to western Canada and is the provincial tree of Alberta? It can reach 40 to 50 m high and up to 2 m wide. Known for its tall, straight growth, it was once commonly used as a tent pole. It has green needles 4 to 8 cm long and twisted. The cones are 3 to 7 cm long, with stinging scales and often remain on the tree for many years. The lodgepole pine depends on forest fires to reproduce and its cones do not open except at high temperatures.

Germination : hydrate the seeds for 24 hours. A 30 day stratification period may be beneficial. Germination takes between 3 and 8 weeks in high humidity.

Maintenance advice : The lodgepole pine is a pine with moderate water mobility which occupies arid and humid mountainous regions. The trunk is long and slender, with a short, narrow, conical crown in youth. However, old pines can grow quite thick and massive, establishing enlarged crowns and living over 300 years.

Life expectancy and particularities of the tree : The bark of the lodgepole pine bonsai is thin, scaly and light gray. Young trees remain smooth for several decades. Thicker, more veneered bark on these pines is a huge indicator of age because the old bark takes on a blackened color between the bark patches.