Montana State Tree - Ponderosa Pine - Pinus ponderosa

Leaf: Evergreen, 5 to 10 inches long, with three (sometimes 2) tough, yellow-green needles per fascicle. When crushed, needles have a turpentine odor sometimes reminiscent of citrus.

Flower: Monoecious; males yellow-red, cylindrical, in clusters near ends of branches; females reddish at branch tips.

Fruit: Cones are ovoid, 3 to 6 inches long, sessile, red-brown in color, armed with a slender prickle. Maturing August to September.

Twig: Stout, orange in color, turning black. Buds often covered with resin.

Bark: Very dark (nearly black) on young trees, developing cinnamon-colored plates and deep furrows.

Form: A large tree with an irregular crown, eventually developing a flat top or short conical crown. Ponderosa pine self-prunes well and develops a clear bole.