Pinus flexilis

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Plant
ID 1489 Pinus flexilis
Botanic Name Pinus flexilis
Common Name Limber Pine
Family Name Pinaceae
Cultivars var. reflexa
Origin North America, Canada, New Mexico, Zone 3-9
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Smooth
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 250
Growth Habit Conical / Pyramidal Growth Rate Slow
Height 9 - 18 m (30 - 60 ft) Spread 9 m (30 ft)
Plant Overview
This broadly conical tree has drooping branches and at high altitudes forms a shrub-like habit. When young the bark is whitish, smooth maturing to dark brown. It has dark-green needle-like leaves and reddish male flowers in spring followed by cones.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Linear
The ridged dark green leaves are arranged in tight bundles of 5 and are persistent on the tree for up to 6 years. The sheath is deciduous and the margins are normally entire but maybe minutely toothed. The apex is pointed and stomatic bands are found
Arrangement Spiral
Margin Entire
Colour Dark green
Size 40 - 90 mm ( 1.6 - 3.5 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Strobilus
The tree is monoecious with the small male (staminate) catkin-like flowers are reddish and arranged in a terminal cluster. The purplish female cones appear in small cluster during spring.
Inflorescence
Colour Red - yellow
Size 4 - 6 mm ( 0.2 - 0.2 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Cone Additional Information
Colour Yellow
The short-stalked cylindrical cones are up to 65 mm (2 1/2 in) wide upright at first becoming pendant. They are resinous, green maturing to yellow-ochre and are solitary or in-groups of 2 or 3.
Edible No
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 70 - 150 mm ( 2.8 - 5.9 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Tolerates well drained moderately fertile sandy to stony or light clay loams
Container Not normally, may be used as a bonsai specimen
Climate Cold - cool temperate
Aspect Full sun, open position, drought and frost resistant, wind tolerant
Pest & Diseases Budworm, aphids, sawfly larva, honey fungus, pine shoot moth, rust
Fertiliser Add organic matter to the soil, mulch from winter to summer and keep moist during establishment
Pruning Train to a single leader when young, remove unwanted branches as required
Cultural Uses Propagation
Limber Pine is a conifer that is grown for its conical habit and is planted in large gardens, parks or used for reforestation. It is slow growing establishing in 4 to 7 years and is long lived up to 200 years.
Sow fresh seed from autumn to spring in pots and in cold climates place in a cold frame.
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