Shore Pine

Shore Pine (Pinus contorta subsp. contorta) is the coastal subspecies of the wide-ranging lodgepole pine. Where the inland lodgepole grows tall and straight, the shore form is shorter, denser, and often dramatically twisted by coastal wind, a trait reflected in the species name contorta.

It is a hardy, adaptable pioneer tree of the Pacific Northwest coast and is widely planted for its rugged, sculptural form and tolerance of poor, exposed, and wet sites.

• Needles: Short, 4-7 cm, in bundles of two, often twisted, dark green to yellow-green, densely set
• Cones: Small egg-shaped cones 3-6 cm, often asymmetrical and prickly; some open at maturity (less serotinous than inland form)
• Habit: Bushy, irregular, often gnarled and contorted tree 5-15 m on the coast
• Bark: Dark, scaly, and furrowed (thicker and darker than inland lodgepole)
• Twisted two-needle bundles and a dense, contorted habit on the coast distinguish it

Light: Full sun.

Water: Very adaptable, tolerating both boggy coastal soils and dry, sandy sites; needs little care once established.

Soil: Grows in poor, sandy, acidic, or peaty soils; tolerates salt and wind.

Temperature: Hardy to USDA zone 4-5; thrives in cool maritime climates.

Feeding: Not required.

Propagation: From seed; popular and forgiving as a bonsai subject.

Native to the Pacific coast of North America from southern Alaska through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and into northern California, growing on coastal dunes, headlands, bogs, and exposed bluffs.

It is a pioneer of difficult sites and tolerates salt spray, wind, and waterlogging. It is widely planted in coastal and exposed gardens and used as a windbreak and ornamental beyond its native range.