Plant · GBIF taxon 5285053
Western Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosaAlso known as Ponderosa Pine, Western Yellow Pine, Bull Pine, Black Jack Pine
Western ponderosa pines dominate dry mountainous landscapes across western North America with their signature orange-brown, puzzle-piece bark. Thick bark insulates mature trees against frequent ground fires, allowing long-lived individuals to reach immense heights over centuries. Flocks of nuthatches and crossbills rely heavily on their prickly woody cones for seeds during winter months.
ConiferEvergreenNative Tree
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Predators
- Mountain Pine Beetle
- Western Pine Beetle
- Porcupine
ThreatsBark beetle infestations, extreme high-severity wildfires, severe drought
HabitatsMontane coniferous forests, dry mountain slopes, canyons, and high plateaus
Life span300 - 600 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPinales
- FamilyPinaceae
- GenusPinus
- SpeciesPinus ponderosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Bark Scent: Press close to deep bark fissures on warm sunny days to smell sweet vanilla or butterscotch aromas.
- Needle Identification: Count the long green needles in each bundle; ponderosa pine typically has needles grouped in threes.
- Snag Safety: Keep a respectful distance from large standing dead trees on windy days to avoid falling snags or heavy branches.
Pest Wikimedia Commons / Public domain · cc0
Seed Disperser (c) Sally, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) Danny Steaven, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) Len Blumin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jay Pruett, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jay Pruett · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.