Under landscaping conditions, it can eventually grow to 60-100 feet tall and 25-30 feet wide. Continue watering at this rate every week until new growth appears on your young trees. Water only when no rain falls for longer than two weeks. Air pockets in the soil fill with moisture, and the roots are unable to "breathe," leading to death of the tree, if the problem isn't corrected quickly. It is often used in windbreaks and shelter planting. Grasp the base of the trunk and lift the sapling from the ground. Newly planted Ponderosa pine growing tips include providing supplemental water for the first year, providing a stake or other support and fertilizing with a … Ponderosa pine also is grown as a bonsai subject, with special consideration given in choice of potting mix and watering because of its need for good drainage. Water your transplanted ponderosa pines with about 5 to 7 gallons of water per tree after planting. Amend the soil before planting if necessary to provide good drainage for the growing tree so it can be watered as needed. For instance, a 1-inch diameter trunk necessitates a 12-inch rootball radius and a 2-inch diameter trunk needs a 24-inch rootball radius. Snip off any strong roots still connecting the rootball to the ground using pruning shears or scissors. Dig the wild pine up. Ponderosa Pine is not the best choice for a landscape tree. Withhold all supplemental water during rainy weather. It is a tall tree with very long needles in clusters of three. Repeat this around the entire rootball. They also develop a wide spreading root system closer to the soil surface. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Do Weeping Willow Trees Need a Lot of Water? Cones are oval, 3 to 6 inches long and 2 to 4 inches in diameter, with outwardly curved Trees that are planted with southern exposures or that have to withstand windy conditions, such as a row of trees used as a windbreak, will need more water during hot, dry spells. … Carefully pull the shovel's handle back toward your chest to pry the roots free from the surrounding soil. They do well in cooler, moister conditions, growing among western larch, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and quaking aspen. For instance, dig down 12 inches for a 6-inch-tall sapling and 24 inches for a 12-inch-tall sapling. Hold the trunk upright. Work the shovel's blade underneath the rootball at an angle. To conserve soil moisture and minimize supplemental watering, mulch the ponderosa pine for two feet out past the drip line of the tree. 45' tall Ponderosa Pine. Transplant shock also makes the tree more vulnerable to pests and diseases . In clay soils, roots seldom go down more than 3 feet, while in open well-drained soils, roots extend for 6 feet or more. Native to the American West, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa, U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3-7) makes a pyramidal-shaped evergreen when young. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Ponderosa pines cannot tolerate heavy smog, so they are best suited to suburban or rural properties. This is because of their distinct flattop appearance though also for their unique smell. Leave a 1/2- to 1-inch gap between the trunk and the mulch to let moisture evaporate from the soil. Ponderosa pine grows best in well-drained moist soil but can adapt to a wide variety of soil types. Dig down along the guideline using a sharp shovel. Mark the north-facing side of the ponderosa pine so you can orient it in its original direction at the transplant site. Supplement natural precipitation from May through the fall months to keep the soil moist but not overly wet. Tamp the soil lightly with your foot to remove any trapped air. Water to a depth of 3 inches every 10 to 15 days until the autumn rains arrive. We live in a residential development in Lakewood about 2 miles east of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The Ponderosa Pine is native to western North-America and the Rocky Mountains. Transplant ponderosa pines into a bed with full sun exposure or no more than 50 percent shade, since shaded conditions decrease their growth rate. Prepare the Tree. Choose a site with excellent drainage and a soil pH between 5.0 and 7.0. The hardy tree also tolerates drought. Established ponderosa pines will need extra water during summer dry periods and also during windy, dry winter conditions, especially when snow cover is missing and days are warmer.