Species › Plants › Lodgepole Pine

Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta

CommonPlant
Illustration of Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta)

Lodgepole Pine is one of the most abundant and ecologically important trees in the western mountains, covering vast areas of the Rockies and Pacific Northwest. Many populations have serotinous cones that open after wildfire, enabling rapid reforestation. Mountain pine beetle outbreaks have killed hundreds of millions of lodgepole pines across western North America.

Habitat
Mountain slopes, plateaus, and subalpine zones of western North America
Diet
Seeds eaten by Clark's nutcracker, red squirrels, and crossbills
How common
Common

Best time to see a Lodgepole Pine

The best time to see a Lodgepole Pine is June–September, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 19,405 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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