Pinus arizonica var. cooperi (C.E.Blanco) Farjon

Taxonomic Identification

This taxon is Pinus arizonica var. cooperi (C.E.Blanco) Farjon, a variety of Pinus arizonica, which is commonly called the Arizona pine.

Native Range

Arizona pine is a medium-sized pine tree native to northern Mexico, and southeast Arizona, southwest New Mexico, and western Texas in the United States.

Mature Size

Mature trees reach 25 to 35 meters in height, with a maximum trunk diameter of 1.2 meters (equivalent to 3 feet 11 inches).

Needle Structure

Its needles grow in bundles of 3, 4, or 5, and fascicles with 5 needles are the most common.

Hybridization Indication

This variation in bundle size may indicate that the species hybridizes with the closely related ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).

Cone Characteristics

Its cones grow singly, in pairs, or in whorls of three, and measure 5 to 11 centimeters long.

Human Uses

Arizona pine provides construction timber, and is heavily harvested to be used as firewood.

Conservation Threats

Extensive cutting has reduced the range of the once-widespread Arizona pine forests, with the most significant reduction occurring in Mexico.