Western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a conifer that can grow higher than 15m tall and 3m – 8m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa).
This plant has several common names including: western yellow pine, ponderosa pine or trucker pine.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 20-50 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: western yellow pine, ponderosa pine, trucker pine
Scientific name: Pinus ponderosa
Plant type: Conifers, Trees
Habit: Bushy
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: 3m – 8m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, Coastal, Informal Garden
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) – Walter Siegmund, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Pinus ponderosa likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) – Crusier, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
