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    • Photo of Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph' form, landscape by Conifer Kingdom

    Photo by Conifer Kingdom

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph'

    Also Known As

    • Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph'
    • Chief Joseph Lodgepole Pine
    • Chief Joseph Pine

    Plant type

    tree, conifer

    size

    • H: 8'-12'
    • W: 4'-6'

    planting zones

    • 5a-9b

    #1 Container | $84.99

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    Fewer than 20 at Conifer Kingdom

    #2 Container | $129.99

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    Fewer than 20 at Conifer Kingdom

    #5 Container | $264.99

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    Fewer than 20 at Conifer Kingdom

    Specimen #1654 | $2950

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    Fewer than 1 at Conifer Kingdom

    Specimen #1784 | $11200

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    Fewer than 1 at Conifer Kingdom

    Specimen #1995 | $1100

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    Fewer than 1 at Conifer Kingdom

    Specimen #2398 | $720

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    Fewer than 1 at Conifer Kingdom

    Specimen #2399 | $720

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    Fewer than 1 at Conifer Kingdom

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    Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph' plant details

    Oh, Chief Joseph. The bold gold conifer that first makes you notice that conifers belong on your most-wanted list. In the early days, it was hard to find, and when you did find it, tiny and impossibly expensive. It's an exciting moment when the weather gets chilly and you see the Chief Joseph has turned on its glorious fiery beacon for the winter. Well-deserving more recognition and regular availability, we can now get our hands on it more often, so you can too.

    Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph' is a slow-growing evergreen conifer tree with gold foliage. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph'

    Plant type: conifer tree
    Plant family: pinaceae
    Foliage: evergreen gold
    Mature size: 4 FT - 6 FT - wide, 8 FT - 12 FT - tall
    Uses: border plant, collector plant, dwarf, pyramidal, rock garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph'

    USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: low
    Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    We have grown this unbelievable northwest native for 30 years. In spring-fall the needles are medium green. In October, as it cools, they turn a lovely golden yellow. The plant does better in a clay soil. Our tree has grown to 20' but we have seen older trees in clay 8'-10'.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Green summer needles begin turning gold in the fall. By winter, this plant is absolutely brilliant gold. It was found in the Wallowa Mountains by Doug Will of Sandy, OR during a hunting trip. He supposedly used an axe to dig it. This variety has proven to

    By: Conifer Kingdom

    Providing brilliant golden fall and winter color, this dwarf conical Lodgepole is wonderful for the winter garden...and the summer garden when it's rich green; found in the Wallowa Mountains by Doug Wills. S/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Chief Joseph Lodgepole Pine is a dwarf conifer known for its bright gold winter color. When everything else is looking dull and drab, this pine is in its element. It has a pyramidal growth habit. The green summer needles begin turning gold in autumn and is a stunner throughout the winter season. Chief Joseph Lodgepole Pine was discovered by Doug Will in the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon, and is named for the famous Nez Perce Indian leader Chief Joseph.

    By: Maples N More Nursery

    34 years ago, plantsman Doug Will discovered a dwarf lodgepole pine while hiking in the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon. It was late autumn and the brilliant yellow-gold foliage of the little tree glowed against the green of the surrounding forest. Later visits to the tree revealed during warm weather the needles took on a pleasing medium green, but when the temperatures dropped in late autumn the bright gold returned. Will knew he had found something extraordinary and named it in honor of Chief Joseph, famous leader of the Nez Perce tribe that had long resided in the territory. Because it is extremely difficult to propagate, this amazing and slow-growing conifer is not readily available. Our small specimens may be some of the largest 'Chief Joseph's ever shipped in a box.

    By: Bloom River Gardens

    Chief Joseph' is a coniferous, evergreen, dwarf tree. This variety of the Lodgepole Pine was discovered by Doug Will in the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon, and named for the famous Nez Perce Indian leader Chief Joseph. Most of the year the needles are colored light green, but in the winter they turn to a spectacular, shocking gold! Must have very well-drained soil. Will shed some needles through the summer, typical of many pines. We get these beautiful pines directly from the discoverer, right here in Oregon. Growth Rate slow, 4" annually

    By: Garden World

    This is an exciting introduction from Doug Wills in Sandy, Oregon. Winter color of summer squash-yellow begins in October. In summer, it is a very beautiful green. Upright growth but could form a small ball shape if pruned. It grows 2-4" a year.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Gardening facts about Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph' plant

    How to Grow Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • low - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • gold

    • Wildlife

      • birds
      • deer resistant

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

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    Plant Type

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    Photo of Pinus parviflora 'Bergman' cones, foliage by plant lust
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    Pinus longaeva

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    Plant Type

    Tree, Conifer

    Zones

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    Size

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    Width: 10'-30'

    • sun
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    Photo of Pinus longaeva close-up by Stan Shebs
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    Pinus radiata

    aka Insignis Pine, Monterey Pine

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    Size

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    Width: 25'-100'

    • sun - mostly shade
    Photo of Pinus radiata form by Fir0002/Flagstaffotos
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    Pinus halepensis

    aka Aleppo Pine

    Plant Type

    Tree, Conifer

    Zones

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    Size

    Height: 50'-80'

    Width: 20'-40'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Pinus halepensis form by greenmarlin
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    +718 more Pinus
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