Southwestern White Pine (Pinus strobiformis)
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Southwestern White Pine (Pinus strobiformis) is a broadly columnar evergreen growing to 40 x 20 feet. It has low to moderate water needs, but does need to be watered in winter. Tolerant of high ozone levels and saline soil, this pine prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established. |
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Needles are soft-textured evergreen, 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length, blue green in color and are borne in bundles of five. Needle sheaths are deciduous and are shed after the first year. | |
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Flowers on pines, including Southwestern white pines, consist of female ovate cones and male pollen cones. Pines are monoecious, meaning that both male and female cones occur on the same tree. The female cones shown (left) are first year (top) and second year (bottom). It takes two years after pollination for cones to mature and release their seed. Male pollen cones are smaller and occur in groups along the stem near the tips of branches. | |
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Cones are large, 6 to 10 inches in length, cylindrical and ornamental. The scales are very long with a thin, narrow tip that spreads out and curves back. Cones mature between August and September. | |
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Bark is gray-brown and has deep furrows forming narrow, irregular ridges. |
Photos: Judy Sedbrook
