Trees to 61m; trunk to 2. diam., usually straight; crown conic to rounded. Bark yellow-brown to cinnamon, deeply furrowed and cross-checked, forming large irregular scaly plates. Branches spreading-ascending; twigs stout (to thick), purple-brown, often glaucous, aging rough. Buds ovoid, tan to pale red-brown, 2--3cm, not resinous; scale margins conspicuously fringed. Leaves 3 per fascicle, spreading-ascending, persisting (2--)4--6(--7) years, 12--22(--25)cm ´ ca. 1.5--2mm, slightly twisted, gray-to yellow-green, all surfaces with fine stomatal lines, margins finely serrulate, apex acute to acuminate; sheath (1--)1.5--2.5(--3)cm, base persistent. Pollen cones lance-cylindric, 20--35mm, yellow to yellow-or purple-brown or yellow. Seed cones maturing in 2 years, shedding seeds and falling soon thereafter, nearly terminal, spreading, slightly asymmetric at base, ovoid-conic before opening, cylindro-ovoid when open, (10--)15--30cm, light red-brown, nearly sessile or on stalks to 0.5cm, abaxial surface of scales not darker than or sharply contrasting in color with adaxial surface, scales in low spirals (as compared to Pinus ponderosa ) of 8 or more per row as viewed from side, those of cones just prior to and after cone fall not so spreading and deflexed, thus not so much separated from adjacent scales; apophyses slightly thickened and raised, not keeled; umbo central, slightly raised, with short, slender, reflexed prickle. Seeds ellipsoid-obovoid; body ca. 1cm, brown or gray-brown, mottled darker; wing to 2.5cm. 2 n =24.
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A tree like Pinus ponderosa but the needles are shorter and stiffer and the cones are much larger. It is an evergreen tree which is broadly cone shaped and grows to 40 m high. The leaves are needle like and rigid. They are 25 cm long and occur in clusters of three. They are blue-green and on stout shoots.
Usually found in open, mixed conifer forests on dry and exposed slopes, at elevations from 300-3,050 metres. Found on a variety of soils, but growing best in those that are deep and well-drained.
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It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally on dry slopes on high mountains in the western United States. Melbourne Botanical Gardens (Hopetoun lawn). It suits hardiness zones 6-9.
Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
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