WESTERN YELLOW PINE 



Pinus ponderosa LAWSON. 



BARK Yellowish-brown to russet-red, broken up in old 

 trees into large smooth or scaly plates, scales con- 

 cave and easily peeled. Younger trees with dark 

 red-brown or almost black bark, finely fissured. 



LEAVES In 3's, 4% to 11 inches long, deep yellowish 

 green, remaining on tree about three years. 



CONES Russet-brown, egg-shaped, 2% to 5 inches 

 long, scales armed with short prickle, seeds 

 winged. Cones mature in August at end of sec- 

 ond season. 



This is the most widely distributed of 

 any of our California pines, in fact, no 

 tree in North America can boast of a 

 wider distribution. From the moun- 

 tains of Northern Mexico to Southern 

 British Columbia it is everywhere at 

 home and if we include its variety P. 

 ponderosa scopulorum of the Rockies 

 we may say that it occurs in every state 

 west of the Great Plains. 



Speaking of this tree, Sargent says: 

 "It surpasses all its race in the majesty 

 of its splendor and vitality." Old giants 

 often rival in beauty the magnificent 

 sugar pines, their bizarre forms standing 



29 



