Woody > Pinus > Pinus aristata > Pinus aristata
Pinus aristata
Bristelcone Pine
Origin: North America, especially regions of the Rocky Mountains.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A unique specimen that should be planted as a focal point in a garden. It grows at an extremely slow rate, hence why it is usually very expensive. One of the oldest living plants around. The older the specimen, the more unique and weathered the plant looks. A plant for the true connoisseur.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Pinaceae |
| Genus |
| Pinus |
| Species |
| aristata |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4 - 7 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 2a - 6b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H6 - H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -34˚ - (-15) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -30˚ - 5 |
| Height |
| 10 -18 m |
| Spread |
| 4 - 6 m |
Photographs
-2.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Slow growing and a tree of great longevity. Believed to be one of the oldest living plants on Earth, Pinus aristata specimens have been found that are as old as 2,500 years. |
| Landscape |
| Excellent as the focal point of a garden, but also suitable for accent purposes. Its coarse texture provides contrast with finely textured plants. Avoid use in smoggy urban centres as it does not tolerate air pollution. |
| Cultivation |
| If pruning is necessary, only trim back the current seasons growth. |
| Shape |
| Crown with branches that are ascending, whorled and dense. Infrequently, crown may grow procumbent. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Irregular shape with leaves that have a five needle bundle. Glaucous colour underneath. |
| Pests |
| Subject to root decay when grow in cultivation as opposed to growth in the wild. |
| Habitat |
| Wide spread in the dry rocky slopes of California, at elevations of 3500 m. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| When young, the bark is smooth and green but as the tree ages the bark becomes fissured and a rusty brown. |
| Leaf Description |
| The tree will hold its needles for 10-17 years. The needles are in groups of 5 usually stuck together by resin. Needles become thicker near the end of branches. |
| Fruit Description |
| Monoecious cones are 5 - 12 cm long. |
| Texture Description |
| Moderately coarse texture. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada and The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Pinetum Park and Pine Lodge Gardens, Cornwall, England. |
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