Height: 100 feet Spread: 30 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 3a Other Names: Western Yellow Pine, Ponderosa Pine Description: A tall and imposing evergreen tree, variable in habit from tree to tree but often has an open, windswept appearance; large needles tend to yellow in winter; tolerant of adverse conditions, makes a great windbreak, needs full sun Ornamental Features Pine, Ponderosa is primarily valued in the landscape for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The needles remain dark green throughout the winter. The shaggy brick red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Pine, Ponderosa is an evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a more or less rounded form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics. Pine, Ponderosa is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Pine, Ponderosa will grow to be about 100 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations! This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average conditions that are neither too wet nor too dry, and is very intolerant of standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This species is native to parts of North America. Special Attributes Cones are oval shaped 3 to 6 inches long. They are brown and found in groups of 2 to 4. In some areas of the world pine are considered drought tolerant, that depends on when does it rain. If it doesn't rain during the growing season more than 4 inches on a monthly basis it will need to be watered. In the Pacific Northwest Desert evergreens need to be watered during the winter as well as the growing season. Our desert climate especially in late winter to early spring evergreens can suffer during next growing season. An easy way to remember check for dryness is on the holidays Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Valentines Day & Easter
