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    • Photo of Pinus aristata foliage by Greer Gardens Inc.

    Photo by Greer Gardens Inc.

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Pinus aristata

    Also Known As

    • Bristlecone Pine
    • Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine

    Plant type

    tree, shrub, conifer

    size

    • H: 15'-20'
    • W: 10'-15'

    planting zones

    • 4a-7b

    More Options

    Pinus aristata plant details

    Pinus aristata is a slow-growing evergreen conifer shrub or tree with green foliage. and brown and purple fruit. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Pinus aristata

    Plant type: conifer shrub or tree
    Plant family: pinaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 10 FT - 15 FT - wide, 15 FT - 20 FT - tall
    Uses: bonsai, container plant, dense, globose, rock garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Pinus aristata

    USDA Zones: 4a - 7b
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: regular
    Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt and wind
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This very slow-growing, little pine 8-20' of the wind-torn high-elevation mountain tops of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and New Mexico is perhaps one of the prettiest of the pines, noted by naturalist John Muir to be "ever irrepressible and extravagantly picturesque"; its blue-green needles are strikingly dotted with white resin flecks; a beautiful addition to the landscape and an outstanding bonsai specimen. S/M-D/GDr

    By: Forestfarm

    A fairly slow-growing species of pine that develops as a multi-stemmed, shrubby tree. Needles are bright green and flecked with prominent white resin spots.

    By: Conifer Kingdom

    The Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata) is a short needle conifer and is one of three species of Bristlecone Pine (the other two are Pinus balfouriana - the Foxtail Pine, and Pinus longaeva - the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine). All three are closely related to each other and are adapted to growing in harsh conditions where no other trees can survive (and therefore have no competition). There is a fourth similar species, the Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) which is more distantly related but grows in similar environments.
    Typically these species grow at extremely high elevations on unsheltered ridges where they endure deep snow and high winds through the winter, which prevents these trees from growing very tall. The form of each individual tree will vary depending on its growing site; although trees planted in sheltered locations will have a dense Christmas tree shape, those growing on exposed mountaintops often look more like gnarled bushes.

    Because the tops of the trees often get broken off in winter storms, these trees have developed persistent clumps of active buds that remain for decades near the base of the tree and at the base of most of the branches. If the main trunk breaks off, the tree will still have many buds all along its stem to produce new trunks. Coupled with the tight clumps of short needles, the branching pattern makes this one of the best pine species for bonsai use. Trees can easily be shaped into an ancient-looking gnarled tree with thick, twisted branches that mirrors a mature tree.

    Bristlecone Pines are extremely long-lived and an individual tree can survive for thousands of years. In fact, the oldest living tree in North America is a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine in California that is over 4,700 years old. The average life expectancy for any of the Bristlecone species seems to be around 2,000-3,000 years, depending on the growing location.

    When growing any of the Bristlecone species in cultivation, it is important not to overwater them. They naturally grow in steep, rocky soils that are free draining and don't tolerate constantly wet soil throughout the summer. If you have compact soil like clay or silt then we recommend planting on the top of a raised mound 2-3' high and 3-4' wide to provide drainage. Avoid fertilizing with fast-releasing fertilizers like manure or Miracle Grow because the roots burn easily. Osmocote is a slow release fertilizer that is suitable for low-nitrogen using plants like Bristlecone Pines. We apply half the recommended dose of Osmocote every April with good results.

    By: Red Panda Nursery

    Evergreen conifer tree that is dwarf, slow growing, and shrubby in youth. It is usually found at higher elevations of the Western United States. Great for bonsai or rock gardens. Growth Rate slow

    By: Garden World

    Short dark green needles with resinous white pitch spots. Drought tolerant. Hardy to zone 4

    By: Lael's Moon Garden

    A very slow growing, small tree or shrub native to the White Mountains of California. Individual trees of this pine are known to be over 4,000 years old, with some estimated at 7,100; thus, they are the oldest living things on earth. Only grows 3-6" a year and after many years can reach a height of 20'. Fine, short, dark green needles are heavily marked with pitch exudations, creating a silvered effect. Growing at low elevations, the separated branches take on the look of long, fat, bottle brushes. Excellent for bonsai. Unique in the landscape.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Branches are densely covered with dark green needles with resinous white speckles. Slow growing can live a very, very long time.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Pinus aristata plant

    How to Grow Pinus aristata

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • wind tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Wildlife

      • birds
      • deer resistant

    • Fruit

      • purple
      • brown

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Pinus for your garden

    Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph'

    aka Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph', Chief Joseph Lodgepole Pine, Chief Joseph Pine

    Plant Type

    Tree, Conifer

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 8'-12'

    Width: 4'-6'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • low - drought tolerant
    Photo of Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph' form, landscape by Conifer Kingdom
    View Plant

    Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead'

    aka Thunderhead Japanese Black Pine

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub, Conifer

    Zones

    5a-8b

    Size

    Height: 4'-10'

    Width: 5'-15'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead' foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    Pinus parviflora 'Bergman'

    aka Pinus parviflora 'Bergmanii Select', Pinus parviflora 'Bergmanii', Bergman Japanese White Pine, Bergman's Japanese White Pine, Bergmanii Select Japanese White Pine

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub, Conifer

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular
    Photo of Pinus parviflora 'Bergman' cones, foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    More Options

    Pinus longaeva

    aka Great Basin Bristle Pine, Western Bristle Pine

    Plant Type

    Tree, Conifer

    Zones

    5a-8b

    Size

    Height: 15'-50'

    Width: 10'-30'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Pinus longaeva close-up by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Pinus radiata

    aka Insignis Pine, Monterey Pine

    Plant Type

    Tree, Conifer

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 50'-200'

    Width: 25'-100'

    • sun - mostly shade
    Photo of Pinus radiata form by Fir0002/Flagstaffotos
    View Plant
    +718 more Pinus
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