Limber Pine
Pinus flexilis
Pinaceae · coniferous tree · native
Last updated
Data Coverage 4 of 6 dimensions
Pinus flexilis (Pinaceae) is a five-needled pine native to the Rocky Mountains and adjacent ranges from Alberta to New Mexico and west to California and Nevada. It grows 30 to 50 feet tall, forming a broad, pyramidal to rounded crown. The common name refers to the flexible young twigs that can be bent without breaking.
Limber pine grows in full sun on well-drained, rocky soils at moderate to high elevations. It is drought tolerant and wind resistant. Like other five-needled pines, it is susceptible to white pine blister rust, though some populations show resistance. The species is long-lived, with some individuals exceeding 1,000 years. Hardy in Zones 4a to 8b.
Quick Facts
Height
30–50 ft
Growth Rate
Slow
Light
Full Sun
Soil
Well Drained
Water
Low
Hardiness
Zone Zones 4a–8b
Bloom Time
Non-flowering
Origin
Pacific Northwest native
Phenological Calendar
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| New growth flush BBCH 11 | May 15-Jun 15 |
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | Jun 15-Aug 15 |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | Jul 15-Aug 31 |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | Jun 1-Aug 31 |
| Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85 | Sep 1-Nov 30 |
Diseases (26)
Endocronartium harknessii Western Gall Rust Cronartium ribicola White Pine Blister Rust Phytophthora spp. (P Phytophthora Root Rot Lophodermium spp. Lophodermium Needle Cast Lophodermella concolor Lophodermella Needle Cast Elytroderma deformans Elytroderma Needle Cast Arceuthobium spp. (parasitic plant) Dwarf Mistletoe Armillaria ostoyae Armillaria Root Rot Symptom category — not a single disease Canker Cyclaneusma minus Cyclaneusma Needle Cast Several soilborne Damping-off Dothistroma septosporum (and/or D Dothistroma Needle Blight (Red Band) Botrytis cinerea Gray Mold Heterobasidion annosum Heterobasidion Root Disease In most Hypocotyl Rot and Root Rot Davisomycella medusa Medusa Needle Blight Rhabdocline spp. including R Needle Cast Gymnosporangium spp. Needle Rusts Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Pine Wilt Armillaria ostoyae Root Rot (Armillaria ostoyae) Phytophthora spp. Root Rot (Phytophthora spp.) Excess sodium chloride Salt Damage Sirococcus conigenus Sirococcus Shoot Blight Stem decay Stem Decay Diaporthe vaccinii or Diplodia tip blight agents Tip Blight Diaporthe vaccinii Twig Blight
Pests (23)
Eriophyidae Eriophyid mite Pineus strobi Pine bark adelgid Dioryctria spp. Coneworm Pine Aphid Pissodes strobi White pine weevil Tetranychidae Spider mite Synanthedon sequoiae Sequoia pitch moth Pine Needle Sheathminer Pine Sheath Miner Chionaspis pinifoliae Pine needle scale Pine Butterfly Coloradia pandora Pandora moth Dendroctonus ponderosae Mountain pine beetle Rhyacionia buoliana European pine shoot moth Nuculaspis californica Black pineleaf scale Coneworm and shoot moth Cinara spp. Giant conifer aphid Zelleria haimbachi Pine needle sheathminer Neodiprion spp. Pine sawfly Neophasia menapia Pine white butterfly Eulachnus agilis Powdery pine needle aphid Otiorhynchus spp. Root weevil Schizolachnus piniradiatae Woolly pine needle aphid Pine sheath miner
Cultivars (2)
'Vanderwolfs Pyramid'
Common name: Vanderwolf's Pyramid Limber Pine; Mature height: 30 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Vanderwolf'