Normally grows to between 20 and 30 metres, with a columnar or domed crown and spreading assurgent branches. The bark becomes orange-yellow to reddish brown which eventually splits in large plates before shedding as small chips. Slightly curved needles will grow to 15-25cm long and ‘dance’ in the lightest of breezes. Purplish pollen cones. The name ponderosa arises from the Latin word for heavy/weighty
