evergreen tree
Lodgepole Pine: pruning, storm risk and removal
Pinus contorta. Also called Shore pine (coastal form), Tamarack pine, Black pine.
Plain-English notes for homeowners, plus field notes for tree crews. General guidance only: for one specific tree, have a local insured pro look at it.
Lodgepole Pine at a glance
| Height | 40-80 ft inland, shorter on the coast |
|---|---|
| Spread | 15-25 ft |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| USDA zones | 3-7 |
| Lifespan | Typically 100-200 years, with some stands living longer |
| Type | Evergreen |
| Native range | Western North America, from the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada through the Pacific Northwest, the Yukon and the Pacific coast |
| Roots | Shallow to moderate and spreading, often with a short taproot on deep soil. It handles cold, poor and rocky soils but can blow over in wet or shallow ground. |
| Wood | Light, straight-grained and moderately soft. It is used for lumber, poles and posts. As firewood it is fair, burning fast and fairly hot, with pitch, so it should be dried well. |
| Storm risk | mediumTall, thin stems in dense stands can snap or lean in wind and heavy snow. Mountain pine beetle outbreaks can leave large stands of dead, brittle trees. |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Soil, water, space and care change how a tree grows. Storm risk is our general rating for the species, not an inspection.
For homeowners
Caring for a lodgepole pine
Best time to prune
Late fall through winter while the tree is dormant. Remove only dead or damaged branches. In dense yards, thin out weak or crowded trees rather than heavy pruning.
Avoid pruning
Avoid pruning in spring and early summer, when fresh cuts draw bark beetles. Do not top the tree or remove more than a small share of the live crown.
More on timing: when to prune trees.
- Lodgepole pine does best in full sun in cool, well-drained soil. It is a mountain tree, and low, hot, humid sites are tough for it.
- Water young trees during dry spells. Mature trees usually manage on their own in the right climate.
- Thin crowded stands so each tree has room. Stressed, crowded trees are more open to beetle attack.
- Keep dead trees and heavy brush back from the house in wildfire areas. Ask your local fire or forestry office for guidance.
Safety first
Do not climb a tree or use a chainsaw on storm-loaded or broken wood. If a tree or limb is touching power lines, stay away and call the utility. If someone is in danger, call 911. For anything big, hire a local insured pro: read how to hire a tree service and is my tree dangerous?
Lirevon does not do tree work. Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews, then get two or three written quotes.
For tree crews
Field notes: working on lodgepole pine
- 1Look for pitch tubes, fine reddish sawdust and fading crowns, which can point to mountain pine beetle.
- 2Dead standing trees can drop tops and limbs. Plan your drop zone and escape path before you start.
- 3Check for broken tops and hang-ups in storm-hit or beetle-killed stands before you step in.
- 4Pitch builds up on bars and chains. Clean and sharpen often.
Removal notes
Trees in dense stands are tall and thin with dead lower branches. Beetle-killed trees dry out fast and can be brittle and unpredictable, so check for broken tops and hang-ups. Expect pitch on tools. In areas with wildfire risk, dead trees near homes are often a priority.
Wood
Light, straight-grained and moderately soft. It is used for lumber, poles and posts. As firewood it is fair, burning fast and fairly hot, with pitch, so it should be dried well.
Pricing this job? Try the tree job estimator. Follow your own safety plan and crew training on every job.
Common problems for lodgepole pine
Pests and diseases to watch for. Each link explains signs and what to do.
Trees often mistaken for it
Check the leaves, bark and shape before you decide how to prune or treat.
Where lodgepole pine grows
Native range: Western North America, from the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada through the Pacific Northwest, the Yukon and the Pacific coast
Common in these US regions. Tap one to see other trees there.
Free tools for this tree
They run in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Results are estimates.
Lodgepole Pine: common questions
Why is it called lodgepole pine?
Its tall, straight, slim trunks were used by many Native American peoples as poles for lodges and tipis.
How can I tell lodgepole pine from ponderosa pine?
Lodgepole pine has two needles in each bundle, and the needles are short, usually 1 to 3 inches. Ponderosa pine has mostly three needles in each bundle, which are longer, and its bark is thick and plated, often with a yellow-orange tint.
What does mountain pine beetle do to lodgepole pine?
The beetle bores into the bark and cuts off the tree's food flow, which can kill it within a year. Trees often turn red and then gray as they die. Fresh sawdust and pitch tubes are early signs.
Why are lodgepole pine cones so tight?
Many cones are sealed with resin and stay closed on the tree for years. Heat from a fire can open them. This is a normal trait of the species.
Can I grow lodgepole pine in a yard?
In mountain and cool climates, yes, if you have a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It does poorly in hot, humid areas and in wet, heavy clay.
When should I remove a lodgepole pine?
Usually when it is dead or fading from beetles or root rot, is leaning, or is close to a home, a road or a power line. A certified arborist can inspect it and give written advice. Get two or three written quotes.
More trees in the same regions
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