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Featured
Plant of the Month: Ponderosa Pine, Pinus ponderosa
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Garden Locations: Gift Shop, Welcome Garden, The Inn, Hudson
Residence, Conifer Grove
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Distinguishing Features: The Ponderosa Pine tree is famous for
its bark, which smells like vanilla. Its dark green needles are quite long,
growing anywhere from 5-10” in length. The needles grow in bundles of 2 or 3 and
are sharply pointed. Bark on a young tree is dark, and as the tree matures, will
change to hues of cinnamon red and become scaled and deeply furrowed. The canopy
of a Ponderosa Pine tends to be irregularly-shaped, and very old trees such as
those growing at The Hudson Gardens tend to be devoid of branches for ˝ or more
of their heights. Ponderosa Pine cones are prickly to the touch, light red to
brown in color, and measure 3-6” long.
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Growth and Maintenance: This Colorado native grows to heights
of 60-100’ with a spread of 25-30’. Ponderosa Pine grows best in deep, moist,
well-drained soil and full sun, but will thrive in a variety of conditions and
altitudes. It has a medium growth rate.
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Fun fact: Planted by King Hudson over 50 years ago, the
Ponderosa Pines are among the tallest trees at Hudson Gardens.
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