PONDEROSA PINE

For many, the name ponderosa conjures up romantic images of the wide-open spaces of the untamed West. However, David Douglas named the tree because of its ponderous size. The other common name, yellow pine, refers to the clear, even-grained wood that is found in very old, large trees. On a hot day, the bark of the ponderosa pine smells like vanilla and when you break a young twig it smells somewhat like oranges.

Ponderosa pine occurs on a variety of soils, from extremely dry to well-drained, relatively deep, moist soils. It grows in pure, open, park-like groups at lower elevations. At higher elevations it grows with Interior Douglas-fir. Ponderosa pine has a long, deep root that enables it to access the deeper, moister soil. The long root also makes it quite wind-firm. These trees can live as long as 400 to 500 years.

Fires are common in ponderosa pine forests and the thick bark protects the trees from the frequent ground fires that lightly burn fallen needles and dead grass. It is common to see fire scars on older trees.

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