Bristlecone Pine

Bristlecone pine is a bushy, irregularly-shaped native evergreen tree. It has long, dark green needles that cover much of the branches. It produces interesting white resin specks on the needles.

The needles and branches are quite dense, and its overall shape varies from conical to very irregular.

Good soil drainage is essential, making bristlecone pine a good choice for hot, dry exposed sites. It is not a good choice for planting in a regularly-watered lawn.

A long-lived tree, some bristlecone pines in nature are around 4,000 years old.

 

Bristlecone Pine

Bristlecone pine is a bushy, irregularly-shaped native evergreen tree. It has long, dark green needles that cover much of the branches. It produces interesting white resin specks on the needles.

The needles and branches are quite dense, and its overall shape varies from conical to very irregular.

Good soil drainage is essential, making bristlecone pine a good choice for hot, dry exposed sites. It is not a good choice for planting in a regularly-watered lawn.

A long-lived tree, some bristlecone pines in nature are around 4,000 years old.

 

Plant details
bar-chart-01
Botanic Name

Pinus aristata

bar-chart-01
Pronunciation

PY-nus a-ris-TAH-tuh

bar-chart-01
Mature Height

20 to 30 ft.

bar-chart-01
Mature Spread

15 to 20 ft.

bar-chart-01
Water usage
Water Usage

One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.

Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.

Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.

bar-chart-01
Flower Color

NA

bar-chart-01
Bloom time

NA

bar-chart-01
Colorado Native

Yes

bar-chart-01
Natural Habitat

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado

bar-chart-01
Light Requirements

sun

bar-chart-01
Cold Hardiness

USDA zones 2-7

bar-chart-01
Elevation Limit

hardy to 11,000 ft.

View more plants

Amur Maple
Amur Maple

Acer ginnala

Learn more about the Amur Maple
Red Maple
Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Learn more about the Red Maple
Caddo Maple
Caddo Maple

Acer saccharum 'Caddo'

Learn more about the Caddo Maple
Hot Wings Tatarian Maple
Hot Wings Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum 'GarAnn'

Learn more about the Hot Wings Tatarian Maple
Tatarian Maple
Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum

Learn more about the Tatarian Maple
Arizona Cypress
Arizona Cypress

Callitropsis arizonica

Learn more about the Arizona Cypress
Western Catalpa
Western Catalpa

Catalpa speciosa

Learn more about the Western Catalpa
Hackberry
Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

Learn more about the Hackberry
Turkish Filbert
Turkish Filbert

Corylus colurna

Learn more about the Turkish Filbert
Russian Hawthorn
Russian Hawthorn

Crataegus ambigua

Learn more about the Russian Hawthorn