What Is The State Tree of Montana?

What Is The State Tree of Montana?

Ponderosa Pine is the State Tree of Montana. Pinus ponderosa is the scientific name of Ponderosa Pine and it is commonly known as Ponderosa Pine. It is also known as Western Yellow Pine, Bull, Black Jack, Western Red, Sierra Brownback, Heavy, and Western Pitch. Pinus are the genus of the Ponderosa Pine and P. ponderosa is its species. Montana’s State tree Ponderosa Pine has belonged from the family of Pinaceae, which is commonly native to the western United States ( Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) and Canada. It is also very much commonly disseminated pine species in North America and the moderate regions of Europe. Pines are among the most abundant and commercially imperative tree species.

A referendum is held among the children of Helena’s school in the spring of 1908 selecting the best tree which represent the state. The ponderosa easily outturned the other competitors like fir, arch and cottonwood, but not declared as the official state tree. After a long campaign on behalf of ponderosa conducted by the Montana Federation of Garden Club, which was supported by the state forester the state legislature of Montana agreed and designated the Ponderosa pine as the official state tree of Montana in 1949.. It is not only the State tree of Montana but it is also State/national tree of many other countries or states with its variety.

Facts about Montana’s State Tree (Ponderosa Pine)

  • Common name:  Norway Pin or Ponderosa Pi Western Yellow Pine, Bull, Black Jack, Western Red, Sierra Brownback, Heavy, and Western Pitch ne.
  • Genus:  Pinus
  • Species:  Pinus ponderosa
  • Found in:  native to the western United States ( Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) and Canada. It is also very much commonly disseminated pine species in North America and the moderate regions of Europe.
  • Flower:  The Ponderosa Pines have produces both male and female flower in same tree. The male flowers are long, yellow-red color, and the female oval, reddish color.
  • Bark:  The barks of the juvenile Ponderosa Pine trees are somewhat scaly, extremely dark color, which will ultimately develop its plates.
  • Leaf:  The leaves of the Ponderosa Pine called ‘needle’, which are generating in bundles of three (needle) leaves, yellow-green, tough and long. Its lengths are in between 5 to 10 inch.
  • Fruits:  The fruits of Ponderosa Pine called ‘cone’. There are two types of cone have the pine trees, which one for generates pollen and another for developing and dropping the seeds. The cones are proportionately sessile, red-brown color; its size is in between 3-6 inches long. The fruits have been matured in the period of August to September.
  • Purpose:  Ornamental.
  • Symbolism:  Wisdom and longevity, peace, virtue, good luck, prosperity, and good health, fertility, masculinity, and winter.

 

The Pine is the easiest recognized plant by the peoples throughout the world. There are almost 115 species of the pines exist in the world (different opinions 105 to 125 species) most of which are native to the Northern Hemisphere. At least 36 significant species of pines are native to the Northern America and Canada out of which the 13 most exposed pines are; Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus),Western white pine (Pinus monticola),Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana),Ponderosa Pine (Pinus resinosa),Pitch pine (Pinus rigida),Jack pine (Pinus banksiana),Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris),Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata),Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda),Slash pine (Pinus elliottii), Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana),Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta),Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).

Montana’s State tree Ponderosa Pine is one of the most precious conifer species in the United States. The tree is also outstandingly good at adapting to stern mountain atmosphere that makes it valuable types of plant for afforestation on high terrain and as a protection against erosion. It is also a well-liked ornamental tree in parks and open large gardens, giving steady plant it cannot grow rapidly on ample range locations.

Montana’s State tree Ponderosa Pine was played a vital role to the state economy of Montana since long, which is still going on. The essential commodities like resin, turpentine and timber those were needed for Navy ships and the merchants came from the pine tree. The pine has been still uses in various aspects due to its nature and availability and affordability. It has been used as building materials, as raw materials of paper, pulp and moldings Industries, also used for construction lumber, furniture and floors etc. It contains lot of medicinal properties like as; antioxidant, astringent, antiseptic, inflammatory, expectorant, and Vitamin C that is a potential remedy of cold-flu-cough, congestion and scurvy.

The Pine trees have been used as Christmas tree since 16th Century begins from ancient Germany and then it occurs internationally from 19th century. Most of the Christian people throughout the world choose it as Christmas tree. It is also burly related with Christmas and the Christmas season. The branches of pine trees are tough enough to embrace ornaments, candles, and strings of lights. Its distinctive aroma attracts people frequently towards it.

To sum up, Ponderosa Pine is the people’s favorite State Tree of Montana, which symbolized Wisdom and longevity, peace, virtue, good luck, prosperity, and good health, fertility, masculinity, and winter. Although it is an official State tree symbol of Montana, it outstandingly represents and glorifies the spirit of Montana culture.

Ref:

montanakids.com/facts_and_figures/state…/State_Tree_Ponderosa_Pine.htm

https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/montana/state-tree/ponderosa-pine

www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/state-tree/montana.html

https://www.50states.com/tree/montana.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_ponderosa

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