General: Limber Pines (Pinus flexilis) are coniferous (cone-bearing) trees with medium-length, roundish, light green needles that form tufts at the end of the branches. Needles set in bundles of 5, and the bundles radiate in all directions from the twigs. The bark is light colored (white to gray). The cones are cylindrical, to 8-inches long, and the cone scales have thick tips. The cones naturally fall from the trees.

In Nevada, Limber Pine is an uncommon component of the montane vegetation in the Spring and Sheep mountains in the Transition (Yellow Pine Forests), Canadian (Pine-Fir Forest), and Hudsonian (Bristlecone Forest) life zones. This species is more common north of the Las Vegas region.

Family: Pine (Pinaceae).

Other Names:

Plant Form: Tall straight tree with pointed crown in sheltered areas; short, twisted, and gnarled in more exposed locations.

Height: To 50 feet tall.

Trunk: To 3 feet diameter.

Bark: Young tree: smooth, whitish gray; mature tree: dark brown to black, split by deep furrows and forming rectangular scales.

Branches: Fairly thick out to the tips, but limber. The branches are mainly angled upward.

Needles: Bundles of 5; dark green; 1 to 3-1/2 inches long with silvery white lines on all surfaces; in tufts at end of the branches.

Cones: Light brown; oblong; without prickles; rounded scales with thick tips, 3- to 8-inches long.

Seeds:

Habitat: Mountain forests, rocky ridges.

Elevation: 7,000 to 12,000 feet.

Distribution: California to western Canada, South Dakota, and New Mexico.

Comments: This species can most easily be seen along the Harris Saddle Trail near Harris Saddle and along the first mile or so of the North Loop Trail.