The Lodgepole Pine , scientifically known as Pinus contorta , is a coinage of pine native to westerly North America . Lodgepole Pine ’s mountain chain extends from the northmost parts of Alaska and the Yukon Territory in Canada , due south through the westerly United States , and into northerly Baja California in Mexico . From the Pacific Coast , it stretch out inland to the Rocky Mountains , admit areas in British Columbia , Alberta , and as far east as the Black Hills in South Dakota .

The genus Pinus has a fogey record dating back to the other Cretaceous period , around 136 million age ago . However , Pinus contorta specifically develop much later , likely adjust to the modify climates and landscapes of North America post the last ice age . As glacier retreated about 10,000 years ago , Lodgepole Pine was among the pioneer species that colonize the new expose lands . Its seeds could be dispersed by malarkey over long distances , allow it to rapidly unfold across the continent .

Lodgepole Pines are medium - sized trees , growing to height of 40 - 80 foot ( 12 - 24 meters ) , though they can once in a while reach up to 100 groundwork ( 30 metre ) . They have a slender , straight proboscis with branch that are often twisted or wring , which is ruminate in its scientific name contorta .

The needle are a burnished to dark green , sometimes with a slight blue tincture . They are sylphlike and jolly conciliatory . Like many pine species , the needles of Pinus contorta develop in bundles , or fascicles . For Lodgepole Pine , these bundles usually contain two needles , though occasionally you might find bundles with three needle , especially in certain race or under specific environmental conditions . When demolish , the needles release a characteristic pine scent .

Lodgepole Pine cones are relatively belittled compared to some other pine coinage . They are typically ovate or conic in shape , with a somewhat pointed bakshish . The cones more often than not pasture from 1 to 3 inches in length . They are not as large or as heavy as strobile from some other pine . When immature , the cone are gullible , turning brown as they mature .

Lodgepole Pine cones are Serotinous in nature . Serotinous cones remain closed and sealed with a resin until they are exposed to high temperature , like those from a wood fire . This adjustment ensures that the germ are released en masse after a firing , when competition for sunlight and nutrient is reduced , and the stain is fertile with ash .

During the jejune phase , increase can be quite vigorous . In optimum conditions , young trees might add 1 to 2 feet in height yearly . As the tree diagram matures , the ontogenesis rate run to slack down . However , Lodgepole Pine can still maintain a restrained growing rate compared to other conifers , often add together about 0.5 to 1 foot ( 15 to 30 cm ) per year under good conditions . In harsher environments like high altitudes or poor soils , growth might be much slower .

Lodgepole Pine is not among the longest - know pine species . Under natural conditions , it typically lives for about 100 to 200 years . The lifespan can be dramatically affected by forest attack , which are a innate part of the Lodgepole Pine ’s ecosystem . tree might not reach erstwhile years due to fires , but this also means younger stands are continuously regenerated .

divisor Influencing Growth and Lifespan

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Lodgepole Pine Varieties

Pinus contorta var . contorta – Shore Pine

Pinus contorta var . latifolia – Rocky Mountain Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta var . murrayana – Tamarack Pine or Sierra Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta var . bolanderi – Bolander ’s Beach Pine

Pinus contorta var . mexicana – Mexican Weeping Pine