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LODGEPOLE PINE (pinus contorta)
KNOBCONE PINE (pinus attenuata)
Other Names: pine, black pine, scrub pine,
shore pine, coast pine, tamarack pine, may have been called jack
pine.
FAIR

The lodgepole pine is widely distributed from Colorado thru Wyoming and Montana and westward into Oregon, Washington and Northern California. Along the Pacific coast it is called shore pine and in California tamarack pine. The tree usually grows in dense stands on poor or sandy soils. After a fire the lodgepole pine reproduces profusely. The tree grows rapidly When not suppressed by competition, the wood is hard and the tree normally has a long life, up to 400 years or more. It is the only native pine in Alaska and is more "scrubby"  there and less desirable as a bearing tree.  

The original blaze is seldom completely healed and when found the tree is frequently dead or dying. In dense stands the  dead tree may remain standing for 20 years or more and harden. When in contact with the ground it decays more quickly than  most of the other pines and care must be taken When examining the fallen trees to prevent destroying the scribe marks  because there is less resin and seldom a good pitch face. 

The knobcone pine is found only in Southern Oregon and in California. It also reproduces heavily on burned over lands but is more scrubby and less durable than the lodgepole.   

The original surveyors seldom identified these trees, the notes only calling for a "pine". 

If more durable trees are not available keep the blaze face as narrow, as short as possible, and into firm wood. Paint thoroughly. Release in dense stands.