Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Pat Kolling

Bristlecone pine

Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine

Colorado Bristlecone Pine

Latin Name:

Pinus aristata

Irregular, dense growth habit. Very slow growing. The branches produce "bottlebrush" type needles covered with resin dots. One of the smaller evergreens for a landscape. Shrubby in youth

Taxon ID#

75 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4 Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Poor dry rocky soils, alkaline or acid

Fertilizer Needs:

Low

Recommended Mulch:

Organic, Native

Family:

Pinaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Tree, Conifer

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Bottlebrush type needles covered with resin dots, 5 needles per bundle

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

No Flower

Flower Description:

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Green foliage

Winter Foliage:

Evergreen

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Foliage

Mature height:

10-30'

Mature spread:

15-20'

Growth rate:

Slow

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

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

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Rodents consume large amount of seeds

Border:

no

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

yes

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

yes

First Bloom:

Last Bloom:

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to prune Oct - Feb.

Summer Care:

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 Care:

Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to prune Oct - Feb.

Winter Care:

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

Long Term Care:

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

Insect Pests:

Susceptible to scale

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

White pine blister rust

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

When pruning pines, make cuts just above the needle whorls. Most new lateral growth is stimulated at these points, rather than along the stems between the whorls.

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/pinus-aristata

USDA Plants:

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pinari/all.html#BLM%20PHYSIOGRAPHIC%20REGIONS

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Bristlecone pine

Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine

Colorado Bristlecone Pine

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

75

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Poor dry rocky soils, alkaline or acid

Fertilizer Needs:

Low

Recommended Mulch:

Organic, Native

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Tree, Conifer

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Bottlebrush type needles covered with resin dots, 5 needles per bundle

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

No Flower

Flower Description:

​

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Green foliage

Winter Foliage:

Evergreen

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Foliage

Mature height:

10-30'

Mature spread:

15-20'

Growth rate:

Slow

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

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

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

no