Pinus aristata
Bristlecone pine
Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine
Colorado Bristlecone Pine
Plant Family:
Pinaceae
Tree, Conifer
Flower:
No Flower
Blooms :
to:
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
No
Foliage:
Green
Evergreen
Pat Kolling
Bottlebrush type needles covered with resin dots, 5 needles per bundle
Oregon Native?
No
West State Native?
No
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
Yes
Firewise?
No
Height:
10-30'
Spread:
15-20'
Growth Rate:
Slow
Native Habitat:
Mountains of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona (the San Francisco Peaks) at elevations of about 7,500 ft (2300 m) to 12,000 ft
Soil:
Poor dry rocky soils, alkaline or acid
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Low
Mulch:
Organic, Native
Long Term:
Most conifers require little pruning. They are generally pruned for shape or to remove unwanted branches. It is important to distinguish between pruning tree branches and pruning or trimming candles. Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to p
Winter:
Pruning a tree during dormant season (e.g., late winter/early spring) will help the tree focus on strong shoots that grow rapidly - especially on the most severely pruned limbs. If you trim last year?s growth in February/March (which would likely include
Spring:
Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to prune Oct - Feb.
Summer:
The candles can be pinched off or trimmed by 1/3 to 2/3 to limit the tree's yearly growth. Trimming the candles will encourage a�denser growth, since by the end of that�growing season, new terminal buds will have formed at the cut ends. �Next year?s grow
Fall:
Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to prune Oct - Feb.
Common Problems
Diseases:
White pine blister rust
Insects:
Susceptible to scale
Also called: