Pinus ponderosa, the ponderosa pine is also known as the black jack, bull, western yellow and yellow pine among other names.

The subspecies seen in Central Oregon, the Columbia ponderosa pine, is comparatively drought resistant as it can close its needle pores.
Lapine State Park in Deschutes County hosts the largest ponderosa pine ever recorded. It lost half of its crown due to weather making another pine tree taller but remains the largest in circumference at 28’11”with an approximate age of 500 years.
Native Americans consumed the ponderosa seeds and sweet inner bark. They chewed the dried pitch, which was also used as a salve. The needles were boiled into a tea to treat coughs and fevers. Limbs were used for firewood and building material, and the trunks were carved into canoes. The needles and roots were made into baskets.
Ponderosa pine bark can smell like vanilla, butterscotch, cinnamon, coconut or even cookies baking. Conduct your smell test on furrows that have been warmed by the sun.
The taproot of a mature tree can extend 36 feet. Lateral roots can extend 100 feet.
Clear grain wood is used for flooring, sashes, doors, blinds, molding, paneling, interior woodwork, built-in cases, and cabinets. Low-grade lumber is used for crates and wood packaging.
The ponderosa pine has thick fire-resistant bark and can survive frequent low-intensity fires.
Ponderosa pines can thrive up to 500 years!