Limber Pine
Pinus flexilis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Famartin
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- Pinus flexilis
- USDA Symbol:
- PIFL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
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
Argyresthia flexilis, Coleotechnites lewisi, Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata), Eastern Panthea (Panthea furcilla), Eucosma bobana, Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Sugar pine tortrix (Choristoneura lambertiana), Western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis), Zenophleps lignicolorata, Entomologist's hairstreak (Incisalia eryphon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, Clark's nutcracker
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thin bark makes it susceptible to fire damage when young, but mature trees can survive low-intensity fires. Recolonizes burned areas via seed caching by birds.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found on slopes and ridges
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination rates. Seeds are large and wingless, dispersed primarily by Clark's nutcracker.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cleansed with a 3:1 water/bleach soak for 8 minutes, followed by a 48 hour running water rinse. Seeds are then placed in cold moist stratification for 60 to 90 days at 34-37°F in fine mesh bags buried in moist peat moss in ventilated containers under refrigeration.
Establishment: Cones are collected in late September when they are yellowish brown and before cone scales are opened. Cones are cut from branches using pruning poles and hand pruners. Cones are kept in burlap sacks in the drying shed prior to cleaning. Seeds are brown at maturity. There are some regional variations in the timing of cone collection.
Source: npn.rngr.net