Scientific Name
Pinus flexilis
Limber pine’s native habitat is scattered throughout the higher elevations (up to the tree line) of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico. The tree’s slender 2- to 3½- inch needles grow in bundles of five and generally curve inwards towards the branches. They are much less wide-spreading than the similar-appearing needles of eastern (Pinus strobus) or western (Pinus monticola) white pines. Another difference is that limber pine needles are smooth when pulled between the thumb and finger in both directions, whereas white pine needles have tiny teeth that can be felt. The basis of the common and scientific names of this tree comes from the great flexibility of the newer branches’ growth. Limber pines tend to be shorter than other Rocky Mountain pines, usually topping out in the mid-double digits, though one in Colorado has been measured at 111 feet. Limber pine, like the Rocky Mountain bristlecone, can attain great age despite the often-inhospitable environment in which it’s commonly found. Ages exceeding 2,000 years have been documented.