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The Southwestern White Pine of the Southern Rocky Mountains
by Stuart Wier |
Return to Native Trees of the Southern Rocky Mountains
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The Southwestern White Pine of the Southern Rocky Mountains
by Stuart Wier |
The Southwestern or Mexican White pine grows in New Mexico and southwestern Colorado, especially along the eastern base of the San Juan Mountains, in spruce forests and along the banks of streams in the montane zone, up to an elevation of 9900 feet. It is similar to the Limber pine, yet is often taller and more upright, growing from 50 to 80 feet tall.
This pine was once considered a variety of the Limber pine. In exposed windy locations it can resemble the Limber pine, but it usually has a tall straight trunk without heavy branches. It also differs from Limber pine by having cones longer than Limber pine cones, 6 to 9 inches long, though some Limber pine cones are also said to be that long. The tips of the cone scales in Southwestern pine are recurved; they are not on Limber pine cones. The scientific name is Pinus strobiformus . indicating a resemblance to the eastern white pine Pinus strobis .
Identifying features of Southwestern White pine
Needles in bundles of five; 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long, and slender. Needle margins at tips may have tiny teeth. Bright green.
6 to 9 inches long, cylindrical, with no bristles. Mature cones are pale or light brown, open, with scales broad and thick at the ends with no bristle. Seeds large (to 1/2 inch long), edible, dark brown, and very short winged or wingless. The cylindrical cone over 6 inches long helps distinguish this tree from Limber pine.