Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
 
Also known as: shore pine (coastal)
Bloom time: May - July
General
There are two varieties of this pine: one is a smaller (up to 15 m tall) branching, coastal variety. The other is straighter, (up to 30 m tall) unbranched, and grows in the interior.
Leaves & Twigs
The paired needles are 3–7 cm long, somewhat twisted in lodgepole pine and stiffer and shorter in shore pine.
Flowers & Fruits
The seed cones (4-6 cm long cylinders) often point backwards toward the tree trunk.
Note the short prickles on the scales of the cones.
The reddish green, male pollen cones occur in dense clusters at the base of the new shoots.
The date of pollen release varies as a result of its wide distribution.
Habitat
The lodgepole pine is a wide ranging species, and can be found in both coastal bogs and shallow sub-alpine soils.
PlantWatch Pointers
Tag a typical tree for observation.
To Observe
First bloom: when the first pollen is being shed by the male cones on the observed tree (3 places).
Mid bloom: when 50% of the male cones are abundantly shedding pollen.
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Distribution Map
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