This large tree has an upright trunk that is deeply furrowed and has short branches that may be weeping towards the base. It forms a conical to columnar habit with dark green needle-like leaves and produces rounded purplish cones.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Pinus ponderosais naturally found in North America from British Columbia to Mexico on the west coast and inland to South Dakota and Texas. It grows from sea level to 3,000m (9,840ft) covering large areas in the northwest.

It prefers a well drained deep moist, moderately fertile soil in an open sunny position and tolerates drought, frost or snow and salty soils.

The Ponderosa Pine is grown for its habit and its timber. It is planted in large gardens as a specimen or mass planted in forests as shelter belts or as a windbreak. It established in 5 to 7 years and is suitable for coastal or mountainous regions. ID 2140

Note:
It is rather slow growing reaching maturity in 350 to 500 years, but is long lived up to 700years.
The bark is deeply furrowed, black on young trees and reddish-brown with large flat plates on mature trees up to 100mm (4in) thick.

The trunk can attain a girth of 2.5m (8ft) and the tap root is very long giving it an advantage over other trees, particularly during drought periods. The tree produces strong resinous timber that is reddish-brown and is widely used in the construction industry or for indoor woodwork.

Pinus (PY-nus) ponderosa(pon-de-RO-sa)

Pinaceae(py-NAY-see-ee)
Larches, spruces, pines, firs, hemlocks and cedars