Ponderosa Pine

Ponderosa pine is a large-crowned tree with a straight trunk. It is the largest of the western pine species, and usually grows to 25 to 30 metres, although it can reach 50 metres with a diameter of two metres and can live as long as 400 to 500 years.
Ponderosa pine is well adapted to high temperatures and low moisture and is highly resistant to low-intensity fire. Although ponderosa pine is most common between 6,000 and 9,000 feet, it begins to appear on the landscape around 5,000 feet where prairies and shrublands transition into open ponderosa pine forests. Ponderosa pine is generally the dominant lower timberline species in Colorado’s montane zone.
A long taproot helps the drought-resistant pine obtain adequate moisture and also decreases its chances of being uprooted by strong winds. Ponderosa pine generally evolved with a natural cycle of frequent, low-intensity fire, which eliminated competing conifer seedlings but allowed mature pines to survive.