Chief Joseph Golden Lodgepole Pine (Pinus Contorta) – 2 Gallon Pot

Other Names: Scrub Pine, Jersey Pine, Possum Pine, Spruce Pine, Poverty Pine

Discovered by nurseryman Doug Will, who found it growing in the Wallowa Mountains of eastern Oregon, the ‘Chief Joseph’ Golden Lodgepole Pine is a shining beacon and sight to behold during the late fall through winter. While its foliage is a bright lime-green during the warm season, after the first frost the needles begin to transition to a brilliant yellow holding their color through winter until temperatures begin to warm in spring. A slow-growing dwarf with an upright pyramidal form and slightly contorted branches that might reach 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide at 10 years of age, and maybe 20 feet tall when all grown up, Chief Joseph makes for an outstanding specimen in sunny landscape borders and conifer and rock gardens. It is widely adapted to most sites provided the soil is well-drained and there’s plenty of sun exposure to bring out the best foliage color. We suggest at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. These are a grafted variety, grafted to Pinus sylvestris.  

Chief Joseph (1840-1904) was the chief of the Wallow Valley Nez Perce tribe. He became famous in 1877 for leading a three and a half month defensive war against the US Army who was attempting to forcibly remove the Natives to a reservation in Idaho. The common name lodgepole pine refers to the use of this tree for teepee poles by native peoples of the Great Plains. 

The Chief Joseph Golden Lodgepole Pine is ideal for use as a specimen or in spaced groupings in sunny landscape borders and garden beds. Also a fine addition to Asian gardens, conifer gardens, native plant gardens, yellow theme gardens and wildlife gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  Best as a specimen or in spaced groupings with trees at least 12 feet apart