Bristle Cone Pine (Pinus aristata)
The Bristle Cone Pine with its unusually spiny branches and pale brown cones grows extremely slowly and is often shrubby. It can grow to great age. It has been known to grow to 4600 years in its native habitat.
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Appearance
The Bristle Cone Pine with its unusually spiny branches and pale brown cones grows extremely slowly and is often shrubby. It can grow to great age. It has been known to grow to 4600 years in its native habitat.
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Leaves
Evergreen pointed needles, 3-5cm long, 0.1cm wide. Arranged in groups of 5. Dark green above, bluish-white below.
Application
Parks, urban areas, roof-gardens, container plants, private parks, gardens, front gardens, winter gardens, for amateur gardeners
Native regions
Western North America
Location parameters
Light: sunny, temperature: normal to cold, soil: dry to fresh, soil structure: firm to loose, soil depth: shallow to very deep, soil quality: medium, stagnant moisture: to be avoided, pH value: 5.5 to 8.0
Demands
Requires a sheltered location in winter; fairly frost-hardy; does not tolerate urban climates; fume-hardy.
Growth
Height of growth: 6m to 12m, spread: 2m to 3m, growth habits: loose, irregular, erect, inclined, overhanging, often multi-stemmed, pendent
Leaves
Evergreen pointed needles, 3-5cm long, 0.1cm wide. Arranged in groups of 5. Dark green above, bluish-white below.
Flowers
Flowering period IV-VI, dark orange male flower, dark purple female flower. Male flowers in clusters like catkins, female flowers resemble cones.
Fruits
Ovate-cylindrical, resinous, pendent cones up to 9cm long. Appear after 20 years.
Bark
Bark fissured lengthwise, brown.
Roots
Surface-rooting, fine root system, expansive root system