Widely distributed pine that may grow tall with narrow, dense, conical crown, or remain small with broad, rounded crown; 3 geographic varieties. Needles evergreen; two in bundle; 1.3-2.8 in (3-7 cm) long. Height: 20-80 ft (6-24 m). Diameter: 1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m).
High mountains on mostly well drained soils, often in pure stands; shore pine in peat bogs, muskegs, and dry, sandy sites.
Southeastern Alaska and central Yukon south on Pacific coast to northern California, south through Sierra Nevada to southern California, and south in Rocky Mountains to southern Colorado.
Lodgepole pine is one of the most widely distributed New World pines and the only conifer native in both Alaska and Mexico. American Indians used the slender trunks as poles for their conical tents or tepees.
