
YELLOWSTONE ARBORETUM
" Stewards of the Natural Environment "
Billings, Montana @ ZooMontana
Western Bull Pine- Ponderosa
Catalogue A# 0099-038 Z61
GPS 45D 43' 56" N / 108D 37, 15" W


Pinus ponderosa
Family: Pinaceae
Origin: Western North America, Montana native
Common name: Western Bull Pine, Ponderosa Pine
Location: NE of playground, zoo perimeter fence
Number in accession: 6
Note: Montana state tree


This 32 inch Ponderosa pine provides overall benefits of: $112 every year.
CRITIQUE
Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane. It is a dominant tree in the Kuchler plant association Ponderosa shrub forest. Like most western pines, the ponderosa is associated with mountainous topography. It is found on the Black Hills and on foothills and mid-height peaks of the northern, central and southern Rocky Mountains as well as the Cascades and Sierra Nevada.
Plant Description
Plant Type:Tree
Max. Height:40 - 223 ft (12.2 - 68 m)
Max. Width:7 ft (2.1 m)
Form:Rounded, Upright Columnar
Fragrance:Fragrant - Pleasant
Growth Rate:Fast, Moderate
Dormancy:Evergreen
Flower Color:Yellow
Flowering Season:Spring,Summer,Fall,Winter
Native Status:Native
Natural Setting-Site Type:
In pure stands or in mixed-conifer forests in the mountains, mainly in inland and drier areas.
Sun:Part Shade
Elevation :34' - 10966'
Annual Precip. :4.5" - 133.8"
Summer Precip. :0.18" - 4.08"
Coldest Month;23.3° F - 55.1° F
Hottest Month :46.0° F - 83.0° F
Humidity :0.32 vpd - 36.12 vpd
Soil Description:Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.
Soil Texture:Loamy Sand
Soil PH:5 - 7
Drainage:Fast, Medium, Slow
Cold Tolerance(° F):Tolerates cold to -10° F
Sunset Zones :1, 2*, 3*, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17, 18*, 19
Wildlife Attracted
Attracts beneficial butterflies, including the West Pine Elphin (Callophrys eryphon) and Pine White (Neophasia menapia) species; Many birds, including Red-winged blackbirds, chickadees, mourning doves, finches, evening grosbeak, jays, Clark's nutcracker, nuthatches, rufous-sided towhee, turkeys, and grouse.