Lodgepole Pine (Pinus Contorta latifolia) 20 seeds (#450)

A medium to large evergreen tree found at low to high altitudes over much of western North America, this pine was favored by American Indians as a teepee support. This often lofty pine bears rather short, yellow green in bundles of two on red-brown branchlets. In spring, trees produce tiny male cones and short, lopsided, oblong to rounded female cones on the previous year's growth. The female cones are covered with fleshy green scales that turn woody and brown as they mature. The scales of 2-year-old female cones open to release winged seeds. The female cones of some lodgepole pines remain closed unless heated by fire.
Mature specimens of this pine typically have a strong tapered trunk and a tall conical crown with horizontal branches that do not curve at the tip. The bark is gray- to red-brown and rough. Alpine specimens are often stunted by wind and cold.
This variable and adpatable pine favors full sun and well-drained, moist, acidic to neutral soil. It can be quite cold hardy, depending on provenance. It works well as a specimen or for grouping, with more compact forms making ideal subjects for smaller properties. This pine is invasive in New Zealand, Great Britain, and several other locales outside its native range.

Genus - Pinus
Species - Contorta
Variety - latifolia
Common name - Lodgepole Pine
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 4 - 7
Height - 20'-100' / 6 - 30 m
Spread - 15'-30' / 4.60 - 9 m
Plant type - Large Tree
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Loam, Sand, Well Drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Screening / Wind Break
Leaf / Flower color - Green / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place the seeds in a container with tepid water and soak them for 24 hours. Change the water and wait another 24 hours.
2. Put the seeds in a small plastic bag and cover with damp sand. Place the bag holding the seeds in the refrigerator for one to two months to stratify the seeds, which is preserving seeds in layers of moisture-laden peat, soil or sand. Check the sand and water as needed to maintain moisture. Don't allow the seeds to get soaked.
3. Fill small pots with compost. Place one or two pine seeds on top of the compost in each pot, then cover the seeds with a thin layer of sand.
4. Water the sand and compost to add moisture, then place the pots in a warm, sunny location. As the seedlings emerge and grow, the soil needs to remain moist, not wet.
5. Repot the pine trees into medium-sized pots in the fall. Grow them in the pots for the following season until they are large and strong enough for transplanting into the landscape.