Unique Features: Ponderosa pines are a North American native tree ranging from Canada to Mexico and the Pacific coast to Nebraska and Oklahoma.  It adapts to most elevations and soils types and is very drought tolerant once established but it is intolerant of wet poorly drained soils.  In Colorado it accounts for 8% of the forested land.  The long needles, up to 7”, are in bundles of 3 (mostly).  Younger Ponderosas grown with moderate irrigation can resemble Austrian pines but counting the needles will tell the difference.  As they age the Ponderosa change from a more conical shape into an irregular open flat topped columnar form and drop their lower branches.  These adaptations help them resist wild fires.  If you have room for a very large conifer tree then this is an excellent water wise choice.