ponderosa pine Pinaceae Pinus ponderosa

Leaf:Evergreen, 5 to 10 inches long, with three (sometimes 2) tough, yellow-green needles per fascicle. When crushed, needles have a turpentine odor sometimes reminiscent of citrus.
Flower:Species is monoecious; males yellow-red, cylindrical, in clusters near ends of branches; females reddish at branch tips.
Fruit:Cones are ovoid, 3 to 6 inches long, sessile, red-brown in color, armed with a slender prickle, maturing late summer.
Twig:Stout, orange in color, turning black. Buds often covered with resin.
Bark:Very dark (nearly black) on young trees, developing cinnamon colored plates and deep furrows.
Form:A large tree with an irregular crown, eventually developing a flat top or short conical crown. Ponderosa pine self-prunes well and develops a clear bole.

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