From Arbor Valley:
This handsome native tree can be found in the western parts of North America. For those larger spaces, this is an ideal choice. The Ponderosa pine is a fast-growing tree as it can add more than 12 inches per year. At full maturity, this pine will reach a height between 30 to 125 feet. On the trunks, you will notice its distinctive orange-brown bark surrounded by furrows of rectangular plates. When the tree is younger, it will have a broad conical shape. As they mature, they have a more narrow appearance.
 
The pine needles are found in bunches of two to three, and they will measure up to 10 inches long. These needles have a yellowish-green hue. The Ponderosa’s pine cones are reddish-brown in color and feature spiky tips. When the cones are mature, they will hang off the branches.
 
The Ponderosa is a low-maintenance tree. Once your tree is established, trimming up the grass around the base is your only concern. Since the Ponderosa is a wide-spreading tree, it has a deep root system and taproot. This tree is extremely hardy, and it can survive some harsh environments. Due to its deep taproot, this pine is known to be fire-resistant. The Ponderosa will also tolerate droughts.
 
This pine is not particular to any type of soil, and it can survive harsh conditions, including low humidity, high elevation, wind, and alkaline soil. Those slightly acidic soils will help the Ponderosa to establish in your yard. However, they don’t love those wet spaces. You will want to place in areas with well-draining soil.
 
Primary photo credit: James St. John on Flickr (CC BY 2.0 Deed)
Secondary photo credit: Matt Lavin on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed)