How to identify Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

How to identify Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Ponderosa pine, also known as Bull pine, Washoe pine, Yosemite pine, Sierra brown bark pine, Western pitch pine, Ponderosa white pine

Ponderosa pine is characterized by a sizable stature, reaching heights of 60 to 125 feet (18 to 38 meters) and widths of 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 meters). It features a pyramidal to conical shape. The bark of young ponderosa pine displays a dark brown to black color, which transitions into a distinctive orangish-brown and furrowed texture with large scaly plates as the plant matures. Its needles are dark yellowish-green, rigid, and grouped in bundles of three, stretching 5 to 10 inches (12.7 to 25.4 centimeters) in length. The cones of ponderosa pine are oval, pointed, and prickly, measuring 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 centimeters) long and 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 centimeters) wide.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Ponderosa pine

Needles dark yellowish-green, 5-10 inches (12.7-25.4 cm) long, in bundles of three.

Cones oval, prickly, 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) long, 2-4 inches (5.1-10.2 cm) wide.

Distinctive male flowers red, cylindrical; female flowers yellow, key for identification.

Needles rigid, resin-scented, dark green to yellowish-green, 5-10 inches (12.7-25.4 cm) long.

Bark transitions from dark brown to orangish-brown; aged bark with large scaly plates.

Detailed Traits of Ponderosa pine

Leaf Features

The leaves of ponderosa pine are needles that are rigid, curved, and resin-scented. They are dark green to yellowish-green in color and measure 5 to 10 inches (12.7 to 25.4 cm) long. These needles occur in bundles of three and exhibit a strong, resinous fragrance.

Leaf Shape

Acicular

Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Acute

Leaf Margin

Entire

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The male flowers of ponderosa pine are red, cylindrical, and measure 3/8 to 1/2 inch (1-1.3 cm) long, growing in clusters at branch tips. Female flowers are yellow, measuring 1/4 to 3/8 inch (0.6-1 cm) long, also appearing at the ends of branches. The male flowers produce pollen, while the female flowers develop into cones. These contrasting flower structures are key identifiers for ponderosa pine.

Corolla Type

Apetalous

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stems of ponderosa pine are stout and start as a vibrant orange before turning black with age. Initially smooth, they become scaly over time. They emit a resinous scent when broken. The buds are conical with a sharp point, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, covered in resin, and feature narrow scales. The thickness and branching patterns are key indicators, enhancing identification for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of ponderosa pine is characterized by its distinctive cone, which is essential for identification. Measuring approximately 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) in length and 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 cm) in width, the cones are sessile with an oval shape that tapers to a pointed end. The surface texture is prickly to the touch. When mature, the cones showcase a reddish-brown to grayish-brown coloration. They exhibit a unique behavior of inverting to release their seeds, a process that occurs in late summer.

Fruit Type

Cone

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Ponderosa pine and Their Similar Plants

Eastern white pine vs. Ponderosa 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. Ponderosa 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. Ponderosa 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. Ponderosa 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. Ponderosa 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.

Austrian pine vs. Ponderosa 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.

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

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) is indigenous to western North America. It’s a species known for its longevity—botanists have found trees that are older than 600 years. It was a favorite source of timber for Native Americans. The primary way they used it (as its name suggests) was to build lodgepoles.

Japanese black pine vs. Ponderosa 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.

Identify Ponderosa pine easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Ponderosa pine

Attributes of Ponderosa pine

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

70 m

Spread

7 m to 9 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Flower Color

Yellow

Red

Fruit Color

Brown

Stem Color

Brown

Leaf type

Evergreen

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Ponderosa pine

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Learn More About the Ponderosa pine

Distribution Map of Ponderosa pine

Ponderosa pine is a plant native to North America that thrives within its temperate zones. In addition to being cultivated, ponderosa pine has been introduced to various regions across Europe, North Africa, Asia, and Australasia. The species' resilience enables it to adapt beyond its native range, encompassing a diversity of continents and major regions worldwide.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Ponderosa pine

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