Species: Pinus aristata

(pye'nus ar-iss-tay'tah)

Bristlecone Pine

Found on Course Walks

Map of plant locations

(Plant location data may be incomplete)

In Collection(s):

None Listed

Cultivars

Several cultivars exist for this species, many are dwarfs and rare in cultivation.

'Blue Bear', 'Blue Heron', 'Cecilia', 'Formal Form', 'Joe's Bess', 'Lemon Frost', 'Sherwood Compact'

Ornamental Characteristics

Size: Tree < 30 feet

Height: 8' - 20' (spread irregular - to 40')

Leaves: Evergreen

Shape: shrubby and low, picturesque habit

Ornamental Other: Exceptionally slow growing.

Environmental Characteristics

Light: Full sun

Hardy To Zone: 4a

Soil Ph: Can tolerate acid to alkaline soil (pH 5.0 to 8.0)

Environmental Other: Foliage can burn in cold, windy climates will not tolerate smoke-polluted air.

Moisture Tolerance: Consistently moist, well-drained soil; Occasional periods of dry soil; Prolonged periods of dry soil
See graphic below

Insect Disease

In Northeast US white pine blight may cause browning of needles; generally insect problems are not chronic; possible problems may include dieback, rusts, blights, canker, aphids and more.

Bare Root Transplanting

Difficult

Other

Difficult to cultivate; best transplanted from container; one of the oldest living plants - some trees have been documented to be 4,000 years old. Native to southwest US.

Native Range Map

Moisture Tolerance Graphic

Please view this page on a tablet or larger screen for the moisture graph

Moisture Tolerance

Moisture graphic

Occasionally saturated or very wet soil

Consistently moist, well-drained soil

Occasional periods of dry soil

Prolonged periods of dry soil

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