Southwestern White Pine is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and into Mexico. In the U.S. it will grow as far north at New York. Also known as Mexican White Pine. The seeds were used as a food by Native Americans in the present day Southwestern United States.
The wood is used in Mexico for furniture and doors.
Widely adapted to most soils and sites. It can be sheared to a Christmas tree shape if so desired.
This is a large forest conifer that can grow to 60’ in height and 35’ in width at maturity. It bears needles in bundles of 5, similar to Limber Pine. However the needles are longer (2.5” to 3.5” in length) and are heavier. They have a silvery-blue coloration.
This tree looks like a Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis). (pnwplants.wsu.edu info)
Genus - Pinus
Species - Strobiformis
Common name - Southwestern white pine
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 4 - 7
Height - 40-60' (12-18 m)
Spread - 20-40' (6-12 m)
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Rocky soils. Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Water requirements - Low or average
Landscape uses - Widely adapted to most soils and sites. It can be sheared to a Christmas tree shape if so desired.
Germination rate - 79%
Leaf / Flower color - Glossy Dark Green / --
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Place the seeds in a container with tepid water and soak them for 24 hours. 2. Put the seeds in a small plastic bag and cover with damp sand. Place the bag holding the seeds in the refrigerator for three months to stratify the seeds, which is preserving seeds in layers of moisture-laden peat, soil or sand. Check the sand and water as needed to maintain moisture. Don't allow the seeds to get soaked. 3. Fill small pots with compost. Place one or two pine seeds on top of the compost in each pot, then cover the seeds with a thin layer of sand. 4. Water the sand and compost to add moisture, then place the pots in a warm, sunny location. As the seedlings emerge and grow, the soil needs to remain moist, not wet. 5. Repot the pine trees into medium-sized pots in the fall. Grow them in the pots for the following season until they are large and strong enough for transplanting into the landscape. |