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General
Description:
Tree 15-20 m tall, with short, stout
trunk 1-2 m diameter, with thin
whitish bark
which later becomes much-cracked;
leaves stout, slightly curved, 3.5-7 cm long, Crowded
at the ends of the branches; cones light brown, tinged with purple; seeds compressed,
10-12 mm long, the wings usually persistent on the scales after the seeds fall.
Mts. of Alta. to B. C., south to Tex. and Calif.
Distribution:
Southeastern British Columbia east to Alberta southward through North and South
Dakota through Montana, Idaho to New Mexico west to Nevada, California, north
to southeastern Oregon.
Habitat:
Dry, rocky ridges, windy bluffs and mountain tops up to 11,500 feet in elevation
Other:
Limber Pine may grow in pure stands or be associated with Mountain Hemlock,
Whitebark Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Douglas fir, White Fir and sometimes with Engelmann
Spruce. It can grow on most soil types and is usually slow growing. Its life
span is can be up to 300 years, but it is intolerant of fire. Its many branches
may droop and touch the ground. In some areas such as the Pahsimeroi Valley
its trunk has a twisted appearance. It has a stout taproot and thus can grow
on windswept ridges. In appearance, it is difficult to distinguish from White
Bark Pine, but the cones are much longer than those of White Bark Pine.
The large seeds are an important food source for birds and rodents and sometimes
for Homo sapiens. The wood is light, soft, close-grained and pale yellow. Its
use is for boxes, railroad ties, poles and mine timbers. It also is used for
firewood.