Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum Engelm.

A hard pine. It is a large tree. It grows to 35 m high and 100 cm across the trunk. The bark is dark grey, rough and scaly. It becomes orange brown and cracked with age. It forms large thick flaky plates. The lower branches droop. The crown is wide and can be flat topped. The needles are in bundles of 3. They are 12-25 cm long. They are straight and stiff but flexible. They are yellowish-green and very sharp. The edges are sharply toothed. The seed cones are oval and 7-15 cm long. They are reddish-brown and hang down. They are often in groups of 3 and are almost stalkless. They are thickened at the tips. They open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds are mottled dark brown and 7 mm long. They have a boat shaped wing at the tip.

It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes in North America. It grows in areas subject to frequent forest fires. It will grow on a variety of soils. It cannot tolerate shade. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. ACT Yarralumla. In Hobart Botanical gardens.

The inner bark is eaten. It is the cambium layer between the wood and the bark. It is eaten fresh or roasted. The seeds are eaten raw. The leaves are used for tea. Caution: The tea should not be drunk in large amounts. It should not be drunk by pregnant women.