WSU Clark County Extension
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Limber Pine

Scientific name: Pinus flexilis
Taxonomy
Family:Pinaceae
Type:Coniferous trees
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:4 to 7
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Dry
Plant Characteristics
Height:60 ft
Width:35 ft
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Limber Pine is best known for its ability to thrive at high elevations where it is exposed to dry and windy conditions.

  Morphology:
This Pacific Northwest native conifer grows to a height of 30’-60’ feet and a width of 15”-35’ at full maturity. When young the tree has a dense pyramidal shape, while at maturity it keeps a wide flat top shape. Branches are initially very flexible (hence its common name) and with time can be bent back onto themselves without breaking.

Needles are 2.5”-3.5" long, arranged in bundles of 5, and have a dark bluish color. Upon close examination one will note 3-4 white lines running the length of each needle.

Cones are 3”-6" long and are erect when young.

The bark is light gray and smooth on young trees, but turns dark gray, as well as fissured and scaly, on older trees.

  Adaptation:
Limber Pine does best under full sun conditions. While it prefers moist well drained sites it will generally tolerate a wide range of soil types.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234