Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta (Pinaceae) is a highly variable two-needled pine native to western North America from Alaska to Baja California. Depending on variety, it ranges from a low, twisted coastal form to tall, straight-trunked mountain trees reaching 80 feet. The species name refers to the contorted growth habit of the coastal variety. Many populations produce serotinous cones that open after fire.

Lodgepole pine grows in full sun on a wide range of soils, from boggy flats to dry mountain slopes. It is a classic fire-succession species: dense, even-aged stands establish after burns and may persist for centuries. The wood is used for poles, posts, and lumber. Hardy in Zones 2a to 8b.

Shore pine (the coastal variety of lodgepole pine) is the right form for Puget Sound lowlands; the inland lodgepole is a different tree for a different climate. Shore pine tolerates salt spray, sandy soil, and wind, but it is not naturally adapted to lowland soils with restrictive hardpan. Twenty-three diseases and 26 pests make this the most heavily burdened pine we track. Multiple needle casts thrive in our wet winters. In managed landscapes, shore pine works best as a windbreak or in sandy, well-drained areas. Avoid poorly drained sites where water perches over hardpan or clay; root disease pressure is real. The tree provides early pollen for native bees, which has ecological value, but maintaining it in heavy lowland soils requires more monitoring than most people expect. If you want a native pine for a typical lowland yard, this is your only realistic option, but match it to the right microsite.

— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist