Can I grow this in my backyard?

It is very difficult to grow outside of its native high altitude, rocky environment.

How fast does it grow?

It is an incredibly slow grower, often adding only a few centimeters per year.

Plant guide

Great Basin bristlecone pine.

Pinus longaeva

Pronounced PY-nus lon-GAY-vah

Also known as Bristlecone Pine, Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, Intermountain Bristlecone Pine, ancient bristlecone pine, ancient pine, western bristlecone pine

Great Basin bristlecone pine — Photo by Jim Morefield (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The bristlecone pine is a legendary survivor known for its incredible longevity in harsh, high altitude environments. It grows very slowly and develops a gnarled, beautiful appearance over many centuries. These trees are truly nature's ancient masterpieces.

Another photo of Great Basin bristlecone pine — Photo by lchaney (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Coniferous evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 7
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

This tree requires excellent drainage and cool temperatures to mimic its native mountain habitat. Watch for needle browning which often indicates poor airflow or excessive humidity. It is best suited for outdoor rock gardens rather than indoor containers.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings to prevent root rot.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged branches during the dormant winter season.
Repotting: Repot only when absolutely necessary as these trees dislike root disturbance.
Soil: Rocky, well-draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -40 to 30°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for thousands of years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Water draining through too quickly
Stunted growth over several seasons

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: The sharp needles may pose a minor puncture risk to small children.
Contact allergens: The resin can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is a common airborne allergen during the spring release.
Edibility: The seeds are edible but not typically harvested for food due to their small size and the tree's protected status.

How to identify it

Needles in bundles of five
White resin flecks on needles
Gnarled and twisted trunk shape
Cones have long, bristle like spines

Height: 5 to 15m
Spread: 3 to 8m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, red, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Common problems

Needle cast — Fungal infections that cause needles to yellow and drop prematurely.
Bark beetles — Insects that bore into the trunk and can weaken or kill the tree.

Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special protection is needed as it is fully adapted to extreme cold and winter conditions.
In containers: It is occasionally used for bonsai but requires specialized care to mimic its natural, harsh environment.

Seed

1. Collect seeds from mature cones in autumn.
2. Cold stratify the seeds for 60 to 90 days in a refrigerator.
3. Sow in a well draining, rocky soil mix.
4. Keep in a cool, bright location with minimal water.

This tree prefers to grow in isolation or with other hardy alpine species that do not compete for limited soil nutrients.

Grows well with

Limber Pine — They often share the same harsh, high altitude habitat.

Similar species

Great Basin Bristlecone Pine — This is the primary species known for extreme longevity.

Science

Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pinus
Order: Pinales
Class: Pinopsida
Native range: High mountains of the southwestern United States.
Conservation: While not globally endangered, many populations are protected in national parks and wilderness areas.

It survives in nutrient poor, rocky soils by growing slowly and conserving energy in extreme alpine climates.

Value to wildlife: seeds provide food for birds, nesting habitat
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental specimen, bonsai, scientific research

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 2/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 1/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in my backyard?: It is very difficult to grow outside of its native high altitude, rocky environment.
How fast does it grow?: It is an incredibly slow grower, often adding only a few centimeters per year.

Where the name comes from

The specific epithet longaeva means long lived, referring to the extreme longevity of the species.

Good to know

They grow very slowly in harsh, high altitude conditions.
The wood is extremely dense and resinous, which helps it resist decay for centuries.
They are often found growing on rocky, alkaline soils where few other plants survive.
Their twisted, gnarled appearance is a result of centuries of wind and ice exposure.

Also in

Is your great basin bristlecone pine looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.