Southwestern White Pine

(Pinus strobiformis)

Southwestern White Pine (Pinus strobiformis)

Identifying Characters: Southwestern White Pine has needles in bundles of five and deciduous bundle sheaths. The cones are cylindrical and elongate. These characters should identify it within its U.S. range.

Similar Species: Southwestern White Pine is most similar to Limber Pine. However the ranges of the two species do not overlap. Southwestern White Pine occurs from central Arizona and New Mexico southward into northern Mexico. Limber Pine is a far more northern pine reaching its southern limit in northern Arizona and northern New Mexico. Southwestern White Pine is a larger species than Limber Pine and the cones are longer and more cylindrical than those of Limber Pine.

Measurements: Mature trees 50 to 80 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet in diameter.

Cones: Cones cylindrical, 6-10 inches in length, short stalked; cone scales very long with a thin, narrow tip spreading out and curved back.

Needles: Needles evergreen in bundles of five; sheath shed after the first year; needles 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length, bright green, and with white lines on the ventral surface; tip of needle finely toothed.

Bark: Bark on mature trees gray to gray-brown and with deep furrows forming narrow, irregular ridges.

Native Range: Southwestern White Pines is primarily a northern Mexican species that reaches central Arizona and New Mexico.

Habitat: This pine species is a high montane species occurring at elevations from 6500 feet to 10,000 feet. It primarily occurs on dry, rocky slopes and canyons. In Arizona and New Mexico the species is not common.