4-25-2022

Ponderosa Pines (Pinus ponderosa) grow at lower elevations here, along the lakeshore, but are otherwise a West Slope species. Closely related Jeffrey Pines are much more common here, east of the Crest and at higher elevations, though the two are at times difficult to distinguish between, and in fact will hybridize with each other. The mature Pondys tend to have bigger plates on their bark, and the sharp points on their pine cone petals are curved up and out, rather than down and in, hense the ‘prickly Ponderosa and gentle Jeffrey’ saying.