Long-lived (up to 600 years), Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine) is a large evergreen coniferous tree of conical habit. The branches are short and pendulous, often turned up at the ends. Borne in bundles of three, its yellow-green to dark green needles, 10 in. long (25 cm), are mostly clustered at the branch ends.

On productive sites, trees can reach 26 inches in diameter in 30 years (8.7 inches/decade). Trees with a diameter of 30 to 50 inches and height of 90 to 130 feet are common throughout its range.

Ponderosa pine is a native, perennial, evergreen tree found over broad expanses of Montana and Wyoming. It is a long-lived, deep-rooted; drought-tolerant species with an average mature height of 35 to 45 feet, although it can attain heights near 200 feet on ideal sites.

Ponderosa pine grows best in full sun and deep, moist, well drained soil, but will adapt to a wide range of soil and growing conditions including alkaline, dry, low humidity, wind,and high elevation. It is highly drought tolerant once established. It is damaged by late frosts and is intolerant of shade.. . . . .364011235391!]0000000000000009783314145147!]