North Plateau Ponderosa pine

Description:

Pine tree with bunches of 3 needles growing very tall. Bark pieces come off the shape of jigsaw puzzle pieces.

Habitat:

high plateau chaparral with volcanic soil, cold snowy winters and hot dry summers, on the east side of the central Oregon Cascade Mountains.

Notes:

The thick bark with its ability to break off small pieces withstands low-temperature forest fires that keep the forest floor clear and limited to low manzanita. Fire makes the cracks look blacker and the bark redder.