Pinus ponderosa

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"Ponderosa pines" redirects here. For the place, see Ponderosa Pines, Montana.
Pinus ponderosa
Pinus ponderosa subsp. ponderosa Identification Guide
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pinus
Subgenus: Pinus
Species: P. ponderosa
Binomial name
Pinus ponderosa
Douglas ex C.Lawson
Subspecies range map

Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the ponderosa pine, bull pine, blackjack pine,[1] or western yellow pine, is a very large pine tree of variable habit native to western North America, but widespread throughout the temperate world. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington state near present-day Spokane. It is the official state tree of Montana.

Description

P. ponderosa in Idaho

P. ponderosa is a large coniferous evergreen tree. The bark helps to distinguish it from other species. Mature to over-mature individuals have yellow to orange-red bark in broad to very broad plates with black crevices. Younger trees have blackish brown bark, referred to as "blackjacks" by early loggers. Ponderosa pine's five races can be identified by their characteristic bright green needles (contrasting with bluish green needles that distinguish Jeffrey pine). The Pacific race has longest (19.8 cm/7.8 in), most flexible needles in plume-like fascicles of three. The Columbia ponderosa pine has long (12.0–20.5 cm/4.7–8.1 in), relatively flexible needles in fascicles of three. The Rocky Mountains race has short (9.2–14.4 cm/3.6–5.7 in), stout needles growing in scopulate (bushy, tuft-like) fascicles of two to three. The Southwestern race has longer (11.2–19.8 cm/4.4–7.8 in) stout needles in fascicles of three (2.7-3.5). The central high plains race is characterized by fewest needles (1.4 per whorl), stout, upright branching at narrow angles from the trunk; long green needles (14.8–17.9 cm/5.8–7.0 in) extending farthest along the branch, resembling a fox tail; needles are widest, stoutest, and fewest (2.2-2.8) for the species.[2][3][4]

Sources differ on the scent, but it is more or less of turpentine, reflecting the dominance of terpenes (alpha- and beta-pinenes, and delta-3-carene).[5] Some state that it has no distinctive scent.[6]

Size

The National Register of Big Trees lists a ponderosa pine that is 235 ft (72 m) tall and 324 in (820 cm) in circumference.[7] In January 2011, a Pacific ponderosa pine in Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon was measured with a laser to be 268.35 ft (81.79 m) high. The measurement was performed by Michael Taylor and Mario Vaden, a professional arborist from Oregon. The tree was climbed on October 13, 2011, by Ascending The Giants (a tree climbing company in Portland, Oregon) and directly measured with tape-line at 268.29 ft (81.77 m) high.[8][9] This is now the tallest known pine. The previous tallest known pine was a sugar pine.

Cultivation

This species is grown as an ornamental plant in parks and large gardens.[10]

Use in nuclear testing

During Operation Upshot-Knothole, a nuclear test was performed where 145 trees were cut down by the United States Forest Service and transported to Area 5 of the Nevada Test Site, where they were planted into the ground and exposed to a nuclear blast to see what the blast wave would do to a forest.[11]

Ecology and distribution

Subspecies scopulorum, Custer State Park, SD

P. ponderosa is a dominant tree in the Kuchler plant association, the Ponderosa shrub forest. Like most western pines, the ponderosa generally is associated with mountainous topography but not always. In Nebraska it is found on breaks of the Neobrara River. Scattered stands occur in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and in both Washington's Puget Sound area and Okanagan Valley. It is found: on the Black Hills, on foothills and mid-height peaks of the northern, central, and southern Rocky Mountains, on the Cascades, on the Sierra Nevada, and on the maritime-influenced Coast Range. In Arizona it predominates on the Mogollon Rim and is scattered on the Mogollon Plateau and on mid-height peaks in Arizona and New Mexico. It does not extend into Mexico [12]

The fire cycle for ponderosa pines is five to 10 years, in which a natural ignition sparks a low-intensity fire.[13]

P. ponderosa needles are the only known food of the caterpillars of the gelechiid moth Chionodes retiniella.[14] Blue stain fungus, Grosmannia clavigera, is introduced in sapwood of P. ponderosa from the galleries of all species in the genus Dendroctonus.

Taxonomy

Modern forestry research has identified five different taxa of P. ponderosa, with differing botanical characters and adaptations to different climatic conditions. Four of these have been termed "geographic races" in forestry literature. Some botanists historically treated some races as distinct species. In modern botanical usage, they best match the rank of subspecies and have been formally published.[2][3]

Subspecies

  1. Pinus ponderosa subsp. critchfieldiana Robert Z. Callaham subsp. novo (Pacific ponderosa pine)
    • Range & climate: western coastal parts of Washington State; Oregon west of the Cascade Range except for the southward extending Umpqua–Tahoe Transition Zone; California except for both that transition zone and the Transverse-Tehahchapi Mountains Transition zone in southern California and Critchfield's far Southern California Race. Mediterranean hot, dry summers in California; mild wet winters with heavy snow in mountains.
  2. P. ponderosa subsp. ponderosa Douglas ex C. Lawson – (Columbia ponderosa pine).
    • Range & climate: southeast British Columbia, eastern Washington State and Oregon east of the Cascade Range, Arizona, northwestern Nevada, Idaho and west of the Helena, Montana, transition zone. Cool, relatively moist summers; very cold, snowy winters (except in the very hot and very dry summers of central Oregon, most notably near Bend, which also has very cold and generally dry winters).
  3. P. ponderosa subsp. scopulorum (Engelm. in S.Watson) E. Murray, Kalmia 12:23, 1982 (Rocky Mountains ponderosa pine).
    • Range & climate: east of the Helena, Montana, transition zone, North & South Dakota, but not the central high plains, Wyoming, Nebraska, northern and central Colorado and Utah, and eastern Nevada. Warm, relatively dry summers; very cold, fairly dry winters.
  4. Pinus ponderosa subsp. brachyptera Engelm. (Southwestern ponderosa pine)
    • Range & climate: Four corners transition zone including southern Colorado, southern Utah, northern and central New Mexico and Arizona, and westernmost Texas. The Gila Wilderness contains one of the world's largest and healthiest forests.[15] Hot with bimodal monsoonal rainfall, wet winters and summers contrast with dry springs and falls; mild winters.
  5. Pinus ponderosa subsp. readiana Robert Z. Callaham subsp. novo (Central High Plains ponderosa pine)
    • Range & climate: southern South Dakota and adjacent northern Nebraska and far eastern Colorado but neither the northern and southern high plains nor the Black Hills which are in subsp. scopulorun. Hot, dry, very windy summers; continental cold wet winters.

Distributions of the subspecies in the United States are shown in shadow on the map. Distribution of ponderosa pine is from Critchfield and Little.[16] The closely related 5-needled Arizona pine (Pinus arizonica) extends southward into Mexico.

Before the distinctions between the North Plateau race and the Pacific race were fully documented, most botanists assumed that ponderosa pines in both areas were the same. When a botanist and a geneticist from California found in 1948 a distinct tree on Mt. Rose in western Nevada with some marked differences from the ponderosa pine they knew in California, they described it as a new species, Washoe pine Pinus washoensis. However, subsequent research proved this to be merely one of the southern-most outliers of the typical North Plateau race of ponderosa pine.[2]:30–31[17][18][19]

An additional variety, tentatively named P. ponderosa var. willamettensis, found in the Willamette Valley in western Oregon, is rare.[20] This probably is just one of the many islands of Pacific ssp. of ponderosa pine occurring in the Willamette Valley and extending north to the southeast end of Puget Sound in Washington.

Distinguishing subspecies

The subspecies of P. ponderosa can be distinguished by measurements along several dimensions:[2]:23–24[3]:17

 Common names  Pacific   Columbia   Rocky Mountains   Southwestern   Central High Plains 
 Subspecies  (critchfieldiana)   (ponderosa)   (scopulorum)   (brachyptera)   (readiana) 
 Years needles remain green  3.9±0.25, N=30   4.7±0.14, N=50   5.7±0.28, N=23   4.3±0.18, N=24   4.7±0.18, N=5 
 Foliage length on branch, cm  25.1±2.4, N=30   26.2±2.2, N=50   21.1±1.7, N=23   21.8±2.7, N=24   42.2±6.7, N=5 
 Needle length, cm  19.8±0.44, N=30   16.8±0.29, N=48   11.2±0.27, N=23   14.7±0.45, N=24   15.6±0.57, N=5 
 Needles per fascicle  3.0±0.00, N=30   3.0±0.00, N=48   2.6±0.06, N=23   3.0±0.03, N=24   2.4±0.11, N=5 
 Needle thickness  45.9±0.49, N=30   47.8±0.51, N=48   46.4±0.68, N=23   44.8±0.87, N=24   49.7±0.61, N=5 
 Branches per whorl  4.4±0.13, N=30   3.7±0.11, N=50   3.0±0.17, N=23   3.4±0.25, N=23   2.3±0.11, N=5 
 Branch angle ° from vert.  56±1.8, N=30   51±1.7, N=50   50±2.3, N=23   48±3.1, N=24   36±1.9, N=5 
 Seed cones length, mm  101.4±2.48, N=25   88.7±1.24, N=36   70.7±2.20, N=22   74.9±2.51, N=20   71.1±2.46, N=5 
 Seed cones width, mm  77.1±1.35, N=25   71.6±0.73, N=36   61.5±1.08, N=22   62.6±1.77, N=20   63.3±2.18, N=5 
 Seed cone form W/L  0.80±0.03, N=25   0.84±0.03, N=36   0.90±0.02, N=22   0.86±0.02, N=20   0.90±0.03, N=5 
 Seed length, mm  7.5±0.08, N=23   7.6±0.16, N=14   6.3±0.09, N=17   6.4±0.18, N=16   7.0±0.12, N=5 
 Seed width, mm  4.9±0.05, N=23   4.9±0.08, N=14   4.1±0.05, N=17   4.3±0.09, N=16   4.5±0.10, N=5 
 Seed + wing length, mm  32.3±0.58, N=23   24.8±0.62, N=14   22.9±0.63, N=17   23.3±0.68, N=15   23.1±0.78, N=5 
 Mature cone color[21]  apple green to yellow green  green & red-brown to dk. purple  green & red-brown to dk. purple    green & red-brown to dk. purple

Notes:
Names of taxa and transition zones are on the map.
Numbers in columns were derived from multiple measurements of samples taken from 10 (infrequently fewer) trees on a varying number of geographically dispersed plots.
Numbers in each cell show: calculated mean ± std. error and number of plots.

References

  1. ↑ Moore, Gerry; Kershner, Bruce; Craig Tufts; Daniel Mathews; Gil Nelson; Spellenberg, Richard; Thieret, John W.; Terry Purinton; Block, Andrew (2008). National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. New York: Sterling. p. 89. ISBN 1-4027-3875-7. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Callaham, Robert Z. (2013). Pinus ponderosa: A Taxonomic Review with Five Subspecies in the United States. USDA Forest Service PSW RP-264. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Callaham, Robert Z. (2013). Pinus ponderosa: Geograhic Races and Subspecies Based on Morphological Variation. USDA Forest Service. PSW RP-265. 
  4. ↑ Eckenwalder, James (2009). Conifers of the world. Portland: Timber Press. ISBN 9780881929744. 
  5. ↑ Smith, Richard H. (1977). Monoterpenes of ponderosa pine in Western United States. USDA Forest Service. Tech. Bull. 1532. 
  6. ↑ Schoenherr, Allan A (1995). A Natural History of California. University of California Press. p. 111. 
  7. ↑ "Pacific ponderosa pine". National Register of Big Trees. American Forests. 
  8. ↑ Gymnosperm Database - Pinus Ponderosa benthamiana
  9. ↑ Fattig, Paul (2011-01-23). "Tallest of the tall". Mail Tribune (Medford, Oregon). Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
  10. ↑ "Pinus ponderosa". RHS Plant Selector. Retrieved 1 July 2013. 
  11. ↑ Finkbeiner, Ann (31 May 2013). "How Do We Know Nuclear Bombs Blow Down Forests?". Slate.com. Retrieved 31 May 2013. 
  12. ↑ Perry, JP Jr. (1991). Pines of Mexico and Central America. Timber Press. 
  13. ↑ "U.S. Starts Massive Forest-Thinning Project; In a bid to cut back on devastating forest fires, foresters will thin dense stands of ponderosa pines". Scientific American. March 22, 2013. 
  14. ↑ Furniss, RL; Carolin, VM (1977). Western Forest Insects. US Department of Agriculture Forest Service. p. 177. Miscellaneous Publication 1339. 
  15. ↑ "Arizona Mountains forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. 
  16. ↑ Critchfield, WB; Little, EL (1966). Geographic distribution of the pines of the world. USDA Forest Service. Miscellaneous Publication 991, p. 16 (Map 47). 
  17. ↑ Haller, JR (1961). "Some recent observations on ponderosa, Jeffrey, and Washoe pines in northeastern California". Madroño 16: 126–132. 
  18. ↑ Haller, JR (1965). "Pinus washoensis: taxonomic and evolutionary implications". Amer. Jour. Of Botany 52: 646. 
  19. ↑ Lauria, F (1997). "The taxonomic status of (Pinus washoensis) H. Mason & Stockw". Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien 99B: 655–671. 
  20. ↑ Ryan, Catherine (March 19, 2012). "Loggers give unique Oregon ponderosa pine a lifeline". High Country News. Retrieved March 28, 2012. 
  21. ↑ Smith, R. H., 1981. Variation in cone color of immature ponderosa pine (Pinaceae) in northern California and southern Oregon. Madroño 28: 272-275.
  • Chase, J. Smeaton (1911). Cone-bearing Trees of the California Mountains. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co. p. 99. LCCN 11004975. OCLC 3477527.  LCC QK495.C75 C4, with illustrations by Carl Eytel - Kurut, Gary F. (2009), "Carl Eytel: Southern California Desert Artist", California State Library Foundation, Bulletin No. 95, pp. 17-20 retrieved Nov. 13, 2011
  • Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Pinus ponderosa. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
  • Conkle, MT; Critchfield, WB (1988). "Genetic variation and hybridization of ponderosa pine". In Baumgartner, DM; Lotan, JE. Ponderosa pine the species and its management. Cooperative Extension, Washington State University. pp. 27–44. 
  • Critchfield, WB (1984). "Crossability and relationships of Washoe Pine". Madroño 31: 144–170. 
  • Critchfield, WB; Allenbaugh, GL (1965). "Washoe pine on the Bald Mountain Range, California". Madroño 18: 63–64. 
  • Farjon, A (2005). Pines (2nd ed.). Leiden & Boston: Brill. ISBN 90-04-13916-8. 
  • Haller, JR (1962). "Variation and hybridization in ponderosa and Jeffrey pines". Univ. Of Calif. Pub. In Botany 34 (2): 123–166. 
  • Haller, JR (1965). "The role of 2-needle fascicles in the adaptation and evolution of ponderosa pine". Brittonia 17 (4): 354–382. doi:10.2307/2805029. 
  • Haller, JR; Vivrette, NJ (2011). "Ponderosa pine revisited". Aliso 29 (1): 53–57. 
  • Lauria, F (1991). "Taxonomy, systematics, and phylogeny of Pinus subsection Ponderosae Loudon (Pinaceae). Alternative concepts". Linzer Biol. Beitr 23 (1): 129–202. 
  • Lauria, F (1996). "The identity of Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C.Lawson (Pinaceae)". Linzer Biol. Beitr 28 (2): 999–1052. 
  • Lauria, F (1996). "Typification of Pinus benthamiana Hartw. (Pinaceae), a taxon deserving renewed botanical examination". Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien 98 (B Suppl.): 427–446. 
  • Mirov, NT (1929). "Chemical analysis of the oleoresins as a means of distinguishing Jeffrey pine and western yellow pine". Jour. of Forestry 27: 176–187. 
  • Van Haverbeke, DF (1986). Genetic variation in ponderosa pine: A 15-Year Test of provenances in the Great Plains. USDA Forest Service. Research Paper RM-265. 
  • Wagener, WW (1960). "A comment on cold susceptibility of ponderosa and Jeffrey pines". Madroño 15: 217–219. 

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