Our tree is the Ponderosa pine or yellow pine.
Our tree's bark is blackish, rough, and scaly on young trees; on mature trees the bark is very thick, bright orangey-brown, and deeply grooved into flat, flaky plates.
Some of the Native Americans used the wood for making dugout canoes. They used the sap for waterproofing moccasins and also other items. They also mixed it with bear grease and used it as medicine for sores and swollen eyes. "Interesting"
The wood is used mainly for doors, windows, and furniture, as well as paneling and shelving.
Usually the full-grown tree size is about 25 to 30 meters tall.
The pinecones are about 14 centimeters long; the seeds are approximately 4 centimeters long. The pinecone color is light brown, and has pointy ridges on the bottom.
The needles occur in groups of of three (sometimes twos and threes). The needles are 12 to 28 centimeters long. Ponderosa pine grows in many different soils. The Douglas fir grows with the Ponderosa pine.
Ponderosa pine has a long, deep root that enables it to access the deeper, moisture soil. The long root also makes it quite wind-firm. These trees can live as long as 400 to 500 years. Ponderosa or yellow pine in found in the Rocky Mountains.