The lodgepole or jack pine (Pinus contorta) is a wide spread softwood coniferous tree occurring mostly over roughly the western half of the United States and Canada, as well as in some isolated areas where it has been introduced.

Lodgepole is one of the fastest growing pine species, although unlike most other pines, it seldom gets very large in diameter. One of these pines that are about two to three feet in diameter is a large specimen. Occasionally they do get larger, however that is rare, and many can be found that are less than two feet thick at the base.

Despite the lack of thickness of the tree trunk, lodgepole pines are fairly tall trees and can often exceed 40 feet in height. They also tend to grow very straight, making the wood favorable for many commercial uses, as well as for firewood. It is favored as firewood, in fact, because it is usually easy to split, and it normally contains enough resin to cause it to burn easily and hot.

The needles of this pine are arranged in small clusters of two and aren't especially long when compared to other pine species, not often over two inches in length. The bark is thin, usually grayish brown to gray, and quite flaky. This may cause the tree to occasionally have patchy places on the trunk. It isn't uncommon for dead branches to remain on the trunk long after they have lost all bark and needles.

Lodgepole pine is a hardy species that grows well in poor soil and in dry conditions. It can be found growing at altitudes from sea level to over 11,000 feet, and it withstands the cold and high winds well, while also thriving in hot climates, and it can grow in damper soil types.

The roots seldom spread out further than the drip line, or ends of the branches above, however they often have a main taproot that can be quite deep.

The cones are small; seldom much more than two inches from bottom to top, and each bract contains a single seed that is much smaller than a pea. The bracts each have a point, making them relatively prickly.

It isn't uncommon for the cones to remain on the tree for as many as three or even more years, and they open only when the weather is especially hot.

Since the seeds are broadcast only by a single 'wing', it isn't unusual to find stands of lodgepole that are growing very close together, and at times, stands may be impassible because of this.

This species of pine hosts a large variety of birds and squirrels, and the seeds are favorite foods of many of these. Commercial uses are varied, and it is used both for pine lumber and plywood.

Lodgepole pines are great pines for so many uses that it is no wonder that there is a commercial market for the wood. However, they also are good-looking, though sometimes weather-beaten trees. It is hard not to admire a lodgepole forest.

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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