Apache Pine
Pinus engelmannii
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Chris M (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- Pinus engelmannii
- USDA Symbol:
- PIEN2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Coleotechnites ardas, Coleotechnites canusella, Epinotia aridos, floral bud moth (Coleotechnites florae), Jack pine tube moth (Argyrotaenia tabulana), Pandora moth (Coloradia pandora), Petrova burkeana, pine needle sheathminer (Zelleria haimbachi), pine shoot moth (Ocnerostoma piniariella), Sugar pine tortrix (Choristoneura lambertiana)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick bark provides moderate fire resistance; serotinous cones are not typical but the species can regenerate after low-severity fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to mountainous regions, often on slopes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification at 1-5°C for 30-60 days to break dormancy; sow in well-drained seedbeds.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Source: Claude AI
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)