Pinus flexilis 'VANDERWOLF'S PYRAMID' Rocky Mountains white pine

Rocky Mountains white pine is a North American pine species whose origin ranges through the Rocky Mountains of Alberta in Canada down to Colorado, USA. It has distinctively flexible young twigs and soft, blue-green to silvery-blue needles. Female cones are yellow-brown, 8-15 cm long, and are borne at the ends of the branches.

Vanderwolf’s Pyramid is probably the most commercially successful variety of Rocky Mountains white pine. It was introduced by the Vermuelen Nursery from New Jersey, USA, in 1972, and named after their general supervisor Rein. W.Vanderwolf. It has narrowly columnar habit and grows faster when young, slowing down as it gets older, beginning to form a teardrop shape. It is usually quite symmetrical without pruning. The needles are 5-9 cm long but not pendent, clear silvery blue. The plants keep them for 4-5 years and do not usually replace them by new foliage.

All pines love sunny sites and dislike wet ground. Though, white pine benefits from constant moisture and makes extra beautiful plants when it does not suffer from drought. Its root system is shallow but has strong lateral roots which can hold the plant even on the rocks which will not allow wind uproot the tree. It can live on either fertile of poor soil. Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 10-02-2013