The Flora of Mount Shasta Ponderosa Pine Pine Family (Pinaceae) Pinus ponderosa

Growth Form: Tall tree, 125 to180 feet, with an open, broad crown

Leaves: Evergreen; needles in bundles of 3, yellow-green to blue-green, 5 to 10 inches, clustered at ends of branches, needles persist on branches about 3 to 5 years

Bark: Reddish-orange to brown, irregular scaly plates of jigsaw puzzle-like pieces

Panorama of Mount Shasta from the North
©1999 G. Donald Bain

Cone: Oval, 3 to 6 inches, brown, scale prickles point out

Found: Grows in a variety of soil and moisture conditions but most commonly in dry, open areas. Frequently found in pure stands.

Tidbits: The wood has a wide variety of uses. Seeds are consumed by grouse, quail, tree squirrels and chipmunks.

Ponderosa Pine
© 2001 Ken and Leona Beatty