Pinus ponderosa (Western Yellow Pine)

This is a slender pine From the Black Hills of Dakota, reaching around 70m over 50 years in the wild. The needles are a bright vibrant green and the scaly trunk is a rich cinnamon-russet. The timber is heavy – thus ‘ponderosa’ …

Sculptural and most definitely architectural. The needles of this rugged pine are surprisingly delicate and have a softness and movement to them quite unlike the stiff bristles of some other conifers. This makes those of the Ponderosa a valuable contrast in texture.

Left unfettered, this pine is really for the largest of gardens. They can be reined-in with careful pruning though: get an expert in for this. They grow slowly, and younger specimens are very characterful indeed. They have thickly-abundant needles which wrap surprisingly slender limbs in a fur that jiggles and ripples in the merest breeze. Fantastic for open- structured height and an architectural impact with movement, free from the gloomy density of certain other pines, despite the ponderousness of its name.

The Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs (essential reading for rainy days) describes the bark as fragrant, and smelling ‘of pineapple and stout’. Yum.

Position in full sun. Any aspect and any well drained soil will be absolutely fine.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.