How to identify Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)

How to identify Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)

Lodgepole pine, also known as Shore pine, Contorta pine, Western scrub pine, Knotty pine, White pine, Sand shore pine

Lodgepole pine exhibits a distinctive silhouette due to its irregular, twisted trunk, encompassed by thin, scaly bark that ranges from grayish-brown to dark brown. This coniferous, evergreen species reaches heights of 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters) or as a shrub, around 3.5 to 10 feet (1 to 3 meters) tall. The short, green needles are arranged in bundles of two, providing a dense foliage display atop orangish-brown to brown twigs. The woody cones are uniquely egg-shaped and inclined to angle back towards the branches, further characterizing the species.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Lodgepole pine

Irregular, twisted trunk with scaly bark in grayish-brown to dark brown hues.

Needles in pairs, green, 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 8 cm) long, twisted, in small sheathes.

Egg-shaped cones angled backwards on branches, light brown to brown, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm).

Male flowers yellow, cylindrical, 1 inch (2.5 cm); Female flowers reddish-purple, 0.75-1 inch (1.9-2.5 cm).

Resinous, orangish-brown stem with narrow, ovoid buds; Bark thin, scaly in various colors.

Detailed Traits of Lodgepole pine

Leaf Features

The leaves of lodgepole pine are evergreen needles, presenting in a yellowish-green to green hue. Each needle measures 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 8 cm) in length. They occur in pairs within bundles and are arranged alternately along the stem. The needles are flat, often twisted, and are encased in a small sheathe approximately 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) long. These key characteristics aid in the identification of this plant.

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Flower Features

The flowers of lodgepole pine consist of pollen cones. Male flowers are yellow, cylindrical, and clustered at the branch tips, measuring around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. Female flowers are reddish-purple, appearing at the branch tips in the upper crown of the tree, and measure about 0.75-1 inch (1.9-2.5 cm). They typically bloom in spring, with male flowers producing pollen that is wind-dispersed, while female flowers develop into cones for seed production.

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Stem Features

The stem of lodgepole pine is initially orangish-brown, transitioning to a darker hue as it matures. It features narrow, ovoid buds that are resinous and reddish-brown. The texture of young stems is relatively smooth, becoming rougher with age. The stem thickness varies, typically staying slender, supporting its narrow, resinous buds. Branching is often irregular, contributing to its distinctive growth pattern. Overall, the stem’s coloration and resinous buds serve as key identifiers.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of lodgepole pine is a woody seed cone with a light brown to brownish hue, measuring 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in length. Its oval or egg-shaped configuration points backwards along the branch. Encased within are seeds set to disperse upon reaching maturity. Remarkably, some cones can remain sealed for years before releasing their contents. It takes approximately 16-20 months post-pollination for cones to reach full maturity. The enveloped seeds are obovoid, black, and 0.2 inches (5 mm) in size.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Lodgepole pine and Their Similar Plants

Eastern white pine vs. Lodgepole pine: What's The Difference?

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is a long-lived evergreen tree native to mixed forests of temperate zones in eastern North America. It is considered one of the tallest trees in its native area. Eastern white pine has a straight-grained lightweight wood, highly valued in construction.

Scots pine vs. Lodgepole pine: What's The Difference?

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a native Eurasian pine plant that grows on nutrient-poor, dry, rocky soils. Given the name, it should come as no surprise that scots pine is the national tree of Scotland. It is also important within the forestry industry due to its use for wood pulp and timber.

Mugo pine vs. Lodgepole pine: What's The Difference?

Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) is a pine tree species native to Europe. These relatively small pine trees are popular in landscaping due to their convenient size. Mugo pine gives off an aromatic pine smell.

Loblolly pine vs. Lodgepole pine: What's The Difference?

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) is the second-most common tree in the United States after the red maple. The loblolly pine has the largest sequenced genome with 22 billion base pairs. Its genome is 7 times larger than the human genome.

Italian stone pine vs. Lodgepole pine: What's The Difference?

Italian stone pine (italian stone pine) is an evergreen tree whose rounded, umbrella-like canopy provides plenty of shade. It thrives in full sun and is drought-tolerant. Its pine cones produce the popular and delicious pine nuts, a valuable food crop that can be harvested, dried and eaten.

Ponderosa pine vs. Lodgepole pine: What's The Difference?

The ponderosa pine tree is one of the most common pine trees. It grows straight and tall, up to 76 m, with a deep root that makes it resistant to wind and drought. These trees can live for hundreds of years and are often used for their wood.

Austrian pine vs. Lodgepole pine: What's The Difference?

Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) is an evergreen conifer that is native to Mediterranean Europe but has become naturalized in other countries, where it is planted for ornamental purposes and as a windbreak. The trees can grow up to 55 m tall and are very long-lived, with some specimens surviving up to 500 years.

Japanese black pine vs. Lodgepole pine: What's The Difference?

Japanese black pine is a pine tree that is especially able to tolerate sand and salt spray, compared to average pine trees, making it-well suited for coastal landscaping. However, these trees will grow larger inland than they will near the coast.

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Key Facts About Lodgepole pine

Attributes of Lodgepole pine

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

25 m

Fruit Color

Brown

Copper

Yellow

Stem Color

Brown

Green

Yellow

Red

Orange

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Lodgepole pine

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)

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Distribution Map of Lodgepole pine

The distribution of lodgepole pine spans across its native regions in North America and expands to introduced territories in Europe and western Asia. As a cultivated species, lodgepole pine thrives in various environments but may sometimes be considered a challenge to native biodiversity in places like Southern Hemisphere nations, where its presence could potentially influence local ecosystems. While lodgepole pine has adapted to several areas outside its original range, its ecological effects are observed with caution.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Lodgepole pine

A Comprehensive Guide to Lodgepole pine How to Grow and Care for Lodgepole pine