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Order Pinales, Family Pinaceae, Genus Pinus
Pinus ponderosa predominates on south facing slopes, and is supposed to be a tree of the savanna. Our woods are too thick, which contributes to disease and fuels overload. Wikipedia, USDA, and Southwest Colorado Wildflowers have more information.
This tree was on private property in Arlee, Montana. It had a bald eagle nest in it. No one knew how tall it was.
Ponderosa Pine has three, and sometimes two, needles per bundle.
The bark of Ponderosa is platey and red, and sometimes smells like vanilla.
This is a baby female cone, also called an ovule.
Immature second year female cones are green and sticky.
A mature female cone is brown and woody.
These are male pollen cones, responsible for the clouds of pollen we see when they are releasing it and the wind blows.