| Arizona pine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pinus arizonica sapling | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Pinales |
| Family: | Pinaceae |
| Genus: | Pinus |
| Subgenus: | P. subg.Pinus |
| Section: | P. sect.Trifoliae |
| Subsection: | P. subsect.Ponderosae |
| Species: | P. arizonica |
| Binomial name | |
| Pinus arizonica | |
 | |
| Natural range ofPinus arizonica green:Pinus arizonica var.arizonica red:Pinus arizonica var.stormiae blue:P. ponderosa ssp.brachyptera | |
Pinus arizonica, commonly known as theArizona pine, is a medium-sizedpine in northernMexico, southeastArizona, southwestNew Mexico, and westernTexas in theUnited States. It is atree growing to 25–35 m tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in). The needles are in bundles of 3, 4, or 5, with 5-needle fascicles being the most prevalent. This variability may be a sign of hybridization with the closely relatedponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). The cones are single, paired, or in whorls of three, and 5–11 cm long.
The Arizona pine was commonly thought to be a variant of Ponderosa pine, but since at least 1997 it is now recognized as a distinct species by most authorities.[2]
Three varieties are described;
This pine is a source of construction timber, and is heavily harvested for firewood. Extensive cutting has reduced the formerly widespread Arizona pine forests, particularly in Mexico.
