| British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide |
LODGEPOLE
PINE
pinus contorta
-
There
are a couple of varieties of the Lodgepole Pine
known as Black Pine, Scrub Pine, Shore Pine, Coast
Pine
-
Lodgepole
Pine is British Columbia's only native two-needled
conifer
-
Lodgepole
Pineis the most widespread tree in the province
-
Along
the treeline and the Pacific Coast, the tree is
often contorted and shrubby hence the name Pinus
Contorta
-
Lodgepole
Pine is susceptible to mountain pine beetle attacks,
mistletoe, rusts and root rot
UNIQUE
FEATURES:
- the
cones need extreme heat (eg from a forest fire)
to open and release the seeds
- cones
can remain on the branches for many years
- the
trees provides food for small mammals which feed
on the inner bark
LOCATION:
- Lodgepole
Pine is found throughout most of the province
- Lodgepole
Pine occurs from the coastal to subalpine sites
- Lodgepole
Pine can grow in all sorts of environments; from
water-logged bogs to dry sandy soils
SIZE:
CONES/FRUIT:
- vary
in shape; short and cylindrical to egg-shaped
- 2
to 4 cm
- scales
has sharp prickles on the ends
- covered
with seal of pitch
NEEDLES:
- occur
in pairs
- are
long and green with sharp ends
BARK:
- thin,
scaly
- orangey-brown
to grey
WOOD
CHARACTERISTICS:
- Lodgepole
Pine is a soft wood but excellent for a variety
of uses
USES:
- modern
- plywood, paneling, furniture, doors, windows,
fence posts, railway ties
- traditional
- wood: building poles; inner bark: strips of this
were eaten fresh in spring or stored, mashed to
make bread; pitch: as a base for medicines, poultices,
chewed to relieve sore throats; needles: tea
QUICK/EASY
ID (indentification) for LODGEPOLE PINE
- cones:
pokey, prickly, pitchy
- needles:
pointed, paired
- bark:
patchy
- general:
pioneer species (first to grow after a disturbance
such as a fire)
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