Melinda Myers

Bristlecone Pine

Botanical Name

Pinus aristata

Min Zone

4

Max Zone

7

Height

8 to 20 feet

Flowers

Monoecious

Fruit

Cone: cylindrical-ovoid, 2 to 4 inches, bristle-like prickle at the edge of each cone scale, dark purplish brown

Light

Full sun

Soil

In nature found in dry, rocky soils

Planting & Care

• Intolerant of shade
• pH adaptable
• Not tolerant of pollution
• Tolerant of wind
• Long lived with very slow growth

Problems

Cankers, needle blights, scale, webworm, spittlebug, shoot borer

Varieties

• Sherwood Compact - slow growing, 4 feet in 15 years