Pinus contorta

RHS Plant Profile

lodgepole pine

Other common names

beach pine, shore pine, twisted-branch pine

Conifers Trees

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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: 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 conifer cultivation for further advice

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