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Pinus contorta

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Lodgepole pine
Pinus contortasubsp.contortainAnacortes Community Forest Lands,Washington
Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pinus
Subgenus: P.subg.Pinus
Section: P.sect.Trifoliae
Subsection: P.subsect.Contortae
Species:
P. contorta
Binomial name
Pinus contorta
Subspecies

4, seetext

Distribution map:
  • Pinus contortasubsp.contorta
  • P. contortasubsp.latifolia
  • P. contortasubsp.murrayana

Pinus contorta,with the common nameslodgepole pineandshore pine,and also known astwisted pine,[2]andcontorta pine,[2]is a commontreein westernNorth America.It is common near the ocean shore and in drymontane foreststo thesubalpine,but is rare in lowlandrain forests.Like allpines(member species of the genusPinus), it is anevergreenconifer.

Description[edit]

Depending on subspecies,Pinus contortagrows as an evergreen shrub or tree. The shrub form iskrummholzand is approximately 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 ft) high. The thin and narrow-crowned tree can grow 40 to 50 m (130 to 160 ft) high and achieve up to 2 m (7 ft) in diameter at chest height.[3]Themurrayanasubspecies is the tallest. Thecrownis rounded and the top of the tree is flattened. In dense forests, the tree has a slim, conical crown. The formation of twin trees is common in some populations inBritish Columbia.The elastic branches stand upright or overhang and are difficult to break. The branches are covered with short shoots that are easy to remove.[4][5][6]

The species name iscontortabecause of the twisted, bent pines (shore pine)[7]found at coastal areas and the tree's twistedneedles.[8][9][10]Pinus contortais occasionally known under several English names: black pine, scrub pine, and coast pine.[11][12]P. contortasubsp.latifoliawill hybridise with the closely relatedjack pine(P. banksiana).

The bark of lodgepole pine is thin, scaly and grayish brown.[7]Shore pine bark is somewhat thick and corky, fissuring into a checkered pattern.[7]Some lodgepole pines have been reported in low elevations with features closer to those of the shore pine, including the bark.[7]

Tamarack pine can grow up to centuries old and lodgepole pines inYellowstone Parkhave survived over 300 years.[7]

Lodgepole pine being trained asbonsai.Notice the use of wire to position the branches of the tree. This is a yamadori (wild collected specimen) and has been styled by American bonsai artistBjorn Bjorholm.

Foliage[edit]

The needles are4 to 8 cm (1+1⁄2to 3 in) long in fascicles of two, alternate on twigs. The female cones are 3 to 7 cm (1 to 3 in) long with sharp-tipped scales.

The egg-shaped growthbudsare reddish-brown and between20 and 30 millimeters (3⁄4and1+1⁄4in) long. They are short pointed, slightly rotated, and very resinous. Spring growth starts in beginning of April and the annual growth is completed by early July. The dark and mostly shiny needles are pointed and4 to 8 centimeters (1+1⁄2to 3 in) long and0.9 to 2 mm (1⁄32to3⁄32in) wide. The needle edge is weakly to strongly serrated. The needles are in pairs onshort shootsand rotated about the shoots' longitudinal axes. InAlbertaabove 2,000 m (6,600 ft), 1 to 5 needles occur per short shoot. A population with a high proportion of three-needled short shoots occurs in the Yukon. Needles live an average of four to six years, with a maximum of 13 years.[5]The foliage of lodgepole pine is yellow-green as compared to shore pine, which is dark green.[7]

Cones[edit]

Theconesof lodgepole and shore pine begin to be produced when the trees are about ten years old.[7]The cones are 3–7 cm (1–3 in) long, with prickles on the scales.[7]

Many populations of theRocky Mountainsubspecies,P. contortasubsp.latifolia,haveserotinouscones. This means that the cones are closed and must be exposed to high temperatures, such as from forest fires, in order to open and release their seeds.[13]The variation in their serotiny has been correlated withwildfiresandmountain pine beetleattacks.[14]The cones of the coastal Pacific subspecies,P. contortasubsp.contorta,are typically non-serotinous,[12]and those of the inland Pacific subspecies,P. contortasubsp.murrayana,are completely non-serotinous.[15]

Distribution[edit]

Pinus contortaoccurs from upper, drymontane foreststo thesubalpineregion of westernNorth America.[16][17][4]It can be found on the western side of theCascades,in inlandBritish Columbia,and on the Rocky Mountains inAlberta,except where it is too high and dry.[7]Lodgepole pine can tolerate relatively hostile environments such as high-elevation volcanic rock in Central Oregon (e.g.Crater Lake) and thin soils on the eastern slope of the Cascades.[7]Further south, the species can be found in higher elevations up to 3,350 m (10,990 ft) above sea level, particularly in southern Colorado.[7]It is rare in lowlandrain forests.[17][4]Shore pine can be found in very infertile soils in coastal regions fromSoutheast AlaskatoNorthern California.[7]

Lodgepole and shore pine can be found intermingled (and apparently hybridized) north ofPuget Sound.[7]Less dependent on fire, tamarack pine can be found in California's upper mountains and mingled with lodgepole in Oregon.[7]Pinus contortacan be found in theclosed-cone pine forestof coastal California.

Ecology[edit]

Pinus contortais afire-dependent species,requiringwildfiresto maintain healthy populations of diverse ages. The thin bark of the lodgepole pine minimizes its defense to fire, although the heat of fire opens the cones to release the seeds. This allows the species to regenerate and maintain its place in the forest habitat.[18]It otherwise fares poorly in crowds as other species are moreshade tolerant,although some (e.g.firs) are more susceptible to fire.[7]

P. contortasubsp.latifoliaforest 23 years before (above) and 10 years after (below) theYellowstone fires of 1988

The natural fire regime for this species is primarily driven by climate. The fires occur most often after years of drought. Forests in the upper montane to subalpine region experience much moisture in the winter via snow. The density oftree standswith the species inhibit the establishment of an understory (allowingladder fuelto form), and surface fire is rare regardless. Thus, infrequent but severe fires dominate this species.[18]

An example of the climate that plays a huge role in the fire regime of the species is quite complex. There are three different oscillations that play a major role in droughts. These are thePacific decadal oscillation(PDO),Atlantic multidecadal oscillation(AMO) andEl Niño(ENSO). A combination of these oscillations being in effect (+) or not in effect (−) have a global effect on the water available to these forests. The combination of AMO +, ENSO − and PDO − means there is going to be a drought and likely a severe subalpine fire.[19]

A cluster of pollen-bearing male cones atMount San Antonio

Suillus tomentosus,a fungus, produces specialized structures called tuberculateectomycorrhizaewith the roots of lodgepole pine (Pinus contortavar.latifolia). These structures have been shown to be the location of concentrations ofnitrogen-fixingbacteria which contribute a significant amount ofnitrogento tree growth and allow the pines to colonize nutrient-poor sites.[20][21]

Porcupines consume the inner bark of lodgepole pine.[7]

Threats[edit]

Larger members of the species are attacked bymountain pine beetles,which it fights withpitchbut can be overwhelmed.[7]It is also affected byblue stain fungus(Grosmannia clavigera), which the mountain pine beetle carries in its mouth.Dwarf mistletoealso leeches off the species. Both the threat of pine beetles and dwarf mistletoe are curbed by wildfires, which occurred less in the 20th century due to firefighting. More recently, unthreatening lightning-sparked fires have been allowed to burn in wilderness areas in Idaho and Montana.[7]Exceptional cold can kill some of the beetles.[7]

A study released in 2011 concluded thatPinus contortacould experience significant reductions in distribution due toclimate changeby the late 21st century.[22][23]

As an invasive species[edit]

Pinus contortais considered a seriousinvasive speciesofwilding coniferinNew Zealand,along with several other western North American pine species. It is listed on theNational Pest Plant Accordand is prohibited from sale, commercial propagation, and distribution.

Subspecies[edit]

There are foursubspeciesofPinus contorta,and one of them is sometimes considered to have twovarieties.[24]The subspecies are sometimes treated at the rank of variety.[2][3][25]

Cone Image Subspecies Common name Distribution
Pinus contortasubsp.bolanderi Bolander's beach pine, Bolander pine, Also treated asPinus contortasubsp.contortavar.bolanderi,in which case what is treated here asPinus contortasubsp.contortais the varietyPinus contortasubsp.contortavar.contorta.[26] endemictoMendocino Countyon the northwestern California coast;[27]near threatenedby fires and development
Pinus contortasubsp.contorta shore pine Pacific Coast, southernAlaskato northwestCalifornia.[8][28][29]
Pinus contortasubsp.murrayana tamarack pine, or Sierra lodgepole pine[30] Cascade Rangefrom Oregon intonorthern California;theSierra Nevada,theTransverse Rangesofsouthern California(including theSan Bernardino Mountains,thePeninsular Rangesinto northernBaja California,and theSpring Mountainsof southernNevada).[31][8][32]
Pinus contortasubsp.latifolia lodgepole pine Rocky Mountains,ColoradotoYukonandSaskatchewan;aspen parklandandboreal forests.[33][34][35]

Uses[edit]

Pinus contortasubsp.murrayananear summit ofPywiack DomeinYosemite National Park.

Construction[edit]

The common name "lodgepole pine" comes from the custom ofNative Americansusing the tall, straight trees to construct lodges (tepees) in the Rocky Mountain area.[7]Lodgepole pine was used by European settlers to build log cabins.[7]Logs are still used in rural areas as posts, fences, lumber, and firewood.[7]Shore pine pitch has historically been used as glue.[7]

Tree plantationsofPinus contortahave been planted extensively inNorway,Sweden,Irelandand theUKforforestry,such as timber uses. In Iceland it is used for reforestation and afforestation purposes.[36]It is also commonly used for pressure-treated lumber throughout North America.

Food[edit]

Native Americans consumed the inner bark of lodgepole pine to prevent starvation for themselves and their horses.[7]The lodgepole pine cambium layer's edibility is dependent on thickness, consistency, and sweetness.[37]

Medicinal[edit]

Theindigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwestandof Californiaused different parts of the plant internally and externally as atraditional medicinefor various ailments.[38]The gum of shore pine was used medicinally as well as for chewing.[7]

Cultivation[edit]

Pinus contortais cultivated as anornamental treeby thehorticulture industry.Plant nurseriesgrowPinus contortasubsp.contortaandPinus contortasubsp.murrayanafor use in traditional andwildlife gardens,and as smaller selections of thenative plantfornatural landscaping.The shore pine's smaller varieties and cultivars are also used incontainer gardening,including as largebonsaispecimens.

Cultivarsof this species include:

  • "Chief Joseph", a dwarf variety ofPinus contortavar.latifoliagrown for its yellow winter needles
  • "Spaan's Dwarf", a dwarf variety ofPinus contortavar.contortathat grows wider than it grows tall

The cultivar "Chief Joseph" has gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit.[39][40]

Emblem[edit]

Lodgepole pine is theprovincial treeof Alberta, Canada.[41]

References[edit]

  1. ^Farjon, A. (2013)."Pinus contorta".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2013:e.T42351A2974612.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42351A2974612.en.Retrieved11 November2021.
  2. ^abc"Pinus contorta".Germplasm Resources Information Network.Agricultural Research Service,United States Department of Agriculture.
  3. ^abKral, Robert (1993)."Pinus contorta".In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.).Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA).Vol. 2. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press.Retrieved12 September2010– via eFloras.org,Missouri Botanical Garden,St. Louis, MO &Harvard University Herbaria,Cambridge, MA.
  4. ^abcGiblin, David, ed. (2015)."Pinus contorta".WTU Herbarium Image Collection.Burke Museum, University of Washington.Retrieved24 January2015.
  5. ^abSchütt, Weisgerber; Schuck, Lang; Stimm, Roloff (2008).Lexikon der Nadelbäume.Hamburg, Germany: Nikol. pp. 365–367.ISBN978-3-933203-80-9.
  6. ^Klinkenberg, Brian, ed. (2014)."Pinus contorta".E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca].Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2015.Retrieved24 January2015.
  7. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyArno, Stephen F.; Hammerly, Ramona P. (2020) [1977].Northwest Trees: Identifying & Understanding the Region's Native Trees(field guide ed.). Seattle:Mountaineers Books.pp. 61–70.ISBN978-1-68051-329-5.OCLC1141235469.
  8. ^abcFarjon, Aljos (2010).A Handbook of the World's Conifers.Vol. 2. Leiden, Netherlands: Koninklijke Brill NV. pp. 654–655.ISBN978-90-04-17718-5.
  9. ^"Plants and Trees: lodgepole pine".U.S. Forest Service.Retrieved12 August2014.
  10. ^"Pinus contorta var. contorta: Shore Pine".Oregon State University.Retrieved12 August2014.
  11. ^"Forests of Crater Lake National Park: Lodgepole Pine (Pinus Contorta)".Crater Lake Institute.Retrieved12 August2014.
  12. ^abCope, Amy B. (1993)."Pinus contorta var. contorta".Fire Effects Information System (FEIS).US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (USFS), Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
  13. ^Anderson, Michelle D. (2003)."Pinus contorta var. latifolia".Fire Effects Information System (FEIS).US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (USFS), Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
  14. ^Feduck, Mike. "The genetic basis of cone serotiny inPinus contortaas a function of mixed-severity and stand-replacement fire regimes ".bioRxiv10.1101/023267.
  15. ^Cope, Amy B. (1993)."Pinus contorta var. murrayana".Fire Effects Information System (FEIS).US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (USFS), Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
  16. ^Moore, Gerry; Kershner, Bruce; Craig Tufts; Daniel Mathews; Gil Nelson; Spellenberg, Richard; Thieret, John W.; Terry Purinton; Block, Andrew (2008).National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America.New York: Sterling. p. 91.ISBN978-1-4027-3875-3.
  17. ^abSullivan, Steven. K. (2015)."Pinus contorta".Wildflower Search.Retrieved24 January2015.
  18. ^abSchoennagel, Tania;Thomas Veblen (2004)."The Interaction of Fire, Fuels and Climate across Rocky Mountain Forests".BioScience.54(7): 661–76.doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2004)054[0661:TIOFFA]2.0.CO;2.ISSN0006-3568.
  19. ^Kauffman, J. Boone (August 2004)."Death Rides the Forest: Perceptions of Fire, Land Use and Ecological Restoration of Western Forests"(PDF).Conservation Biology.18(4): 878–82.Bibcode:2004ConBi..18..878K.doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.545_1.x.S2CID32063636.Retrieved24 February2010.
  20. ^Paul, L.R.; Chapman, B.K.; Chanway, C.P. (2007)."Nitrogen Fixation Associated with Suillus tomentosus Tuberculate Ectomycorrhizae on Pinus contorta var. latifolia".Annals of Botany.99(6): 1101–1109.doi:10.1093/aob/mcm061.PMC3243579.PMID17468111.
  21. ^Chapman, W.K.; Paul, L.R. (2012)."Evidence that Northern Pioneering Pines with Tuberculate Mycorrhizae are Unaffected by Varying Soil Nitrogen Levels".Microbial Ecology.64(4): 964–72.Bibcode:2012MicEc..64..964C.doi:10.1007/s00248-012-0076-0.PMC3474912.PMID22677953.
  22. ^Coops, Nicholas C.; Waring, Richard H. (March 2011). "A process-based approach to estimate lodgepole pine (Pinus contortaDougl.) distribution in the Pacific Northwest under climate change ".Climatic Change.105(1–2): 313–328.Bibcode:2011ClCh..105..313C.doi:10.1007/s10584-010-9861-2.S2CID54177131.
  23. ^Rudolf, John Collins (28 February 2011)."Climate Change Takes Toll on the Lodgepole Pine".Green: A Blog About Energy and the Environment.Retrieved1 March2011.
  24. ^Conifer Specialist Group (1998)."Pinus contortavar.bolanderi".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.1998.Retrieved12 May2006.
  25. ^"Pinus contorta".World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew– viaThe Plant List.Note that this website has been superseded byWorld Flora Online
  26. ^Jepson Flora Project (ed.)."Pinus contortasubsp.bolanderi".Jepson eFlora.The Jepson Herbarium,University of California, Berkeley.
  27. ^"Pinus contorta var. bolanderi".Germplasm Resources Information Network.Agricultural Research Service,United States Department of Agriculture.
  28. ^"Pinus contorta ssp. contorta".Calflora.Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database.
  29. ^"Pinus contorta var. contorta".Germplasm Resources Information Network.Agricultural Research Service,United States Department of Agriculture.
  30. ^Chase, J. Smeaton(1911)."Pinus murrayana(Tamarack, Lodge-pole-pine) ".Cone-bearing Trees of the California Mountains.Eytel, Carl(illustrations). Chicago:A.C. McClurg & Co.p. 36.LCCN11004975.OCLC3477527.
  31. ^"Pinus contorta var. murrayana".Germplasm Resources Information Network.Agricultural Research Service,United States Department of Agriculture.
  32. ^"Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana".Calflora.Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database.
  33. ^"Pinus contorta var. latifolia".Germplasm Resources Information Network.Agricultural Research Service,United States Department of Agriculture.
  34. ^USDA, NRCS(n.d.)."Pinus contorta".The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov).Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team.Retrieved24 January2015.
  35. ^Johnson, Kershaw; MacKinnon, Pojar (1995).Plants of the Western Boreal Forest and Aspen Parkland.Edmonton AB: Lonepine Publishing. p. 27.ISBN978-1-55105-058-4.
  36. ^Skógræktin."Forestry in Iceland".Skógræktin.Retrieved17 May2021.
  37. ^Dilbone, Megan; Turner, Nancy J.; von Aderkas, Patrick (March 2013)."Lodgepole Pine Cambium ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Wats.): A Springtime First Peoples' Food in British Columbia".Ecology of Food and Nutrition.52(2): 130–147.Bibcode:2013EcoFN..52..130D.doi:10.1080/03670244.2012.706013.ISSN0367-0244.PMID23445392.S2CID7570681.
  38. ^"NAEB".umich.edu.
  39. ^"RHS Plantfinder –Pinus contorta'Chief Joseph'".Retrieved2 May2018.
  40. ^"AGM Plants – Ornamental"(PDF).Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 78.Retrieved2 April2018.
  41. ^"Emblems of Alberta".Alberta Culture and Tourism.14 June 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 8 April 2017.Retrieved10 July2017.

External links[edit]

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