Pinus contorta var. contorta
lodgepole pine
P. contorta var. contorta is a spreading conifer to around 15m tall and 7.5m wide forming an upright tree with a flat or irregularly rounded crownin sheltered spots but assuming a more shrub-like form with bent ortwistedbranches when grown incoastal areas and exposed to highwinds and salt spray. The needle-like leaves 3-6cm long are arranged in pairs and may be twisted; yellow-brown cones 3-7cm long are borne in pairs or clusters and their scales have a slender recurved spine
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Brown Yellow | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Brown Yellow | ||
| Autumn | Green | Brown Yellow | ||
| Winter | Green | Brown Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Pinus can be shrubs or large, evergreen trees, some species with attractive bark, developing an irregular outline with age and bearing long needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5; conspicuous cones may fall or remain on the tree for years
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Western N America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a well drained, acid or neutral soil. See Trees: buying and planting specimens
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to adelgids, conifer aphid, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moth
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases
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