Ponderosa Pine, Pinus ponderosa Laws
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves in bundles of both 2 and 3, stout, 4 to 11 inches long, flexible. Cones 2 1/2 to 4 (or more) inches long; basal scales remaining on the twig when the cones fall, leaving a depression in the base of each cone; scales armed with sharp prickles near the end. Bark divided into large, flat plates, yellowish brown to reddish in color.
SIMILAR TREES: Red and Austrian pines have smaller cones and all leaves in bundles of 2.
IOWA DISTRIBUTION: Occasionally planted throughout the state.
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