Pinus contorta
lodgepole pine
A medium to large conical or domed conifer, up to 25m high, with thick, fissured bark and often twisted young shoots. The yellowish-green needle-like leaves are up to 5cm long, arranged in pairs and sometimes twisted. Yellowish-brown, conical to ovoid cones, up to 5cm long, are borne in pairs or clusters; cone scales have a slender spine that may wear away with time
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Yellow | Brown Yellow | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | Brown Yellow | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | Brown Yellow | ||
| Winter | Green Yellow | Brown Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–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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