Lodgepole Pines are the most common and abundant trees in the Rocky Mountains and foothills of western North America. Found on lower mountain slopes, they have a thin, straight trunk (40-80 ft). If space is limited, branches will only appear on the top third of the trees.
The needles are paired and often twisted, forming dense clusters at the ends of branches. The cones are small and egg-shaped with prickles at the tip. They grow in small clusters, either at right angles to the branch or facing back towards the trunk.
Could it be? Shore Pines and Jack Pines also have bundles of two needles. Shore Pines, a variety of Lodgepole Pine, grow along the northern Pacific coast as a short, crooked tree. Jack Pines are widespread in northeastern North America, but the cones don't have prickles and point forward along the branch or curl around it.
Did you know? In the spring, look for clusters of reddish-green male pollen cones at the tips of branches. The pollen is so abundant it can be seen in patches on lakes or forming a yellow line marking the water level on rocks along the shore.
See Also: Balsam Fir, Common Juniper, Douglas-fir, Engelmann Spruce, Jack Pine, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Spruce, Tamarack, Western Hemlock, Western Larch, Western Redcedar, Whitebark Pine
