The image shows a tall pine tree reaching up towards a cloudy blue sky. Pine trees are known for their distinctive needles, which are arranged in clusters, and their scaly bark. There are many different types of pine trees, and they can grow to be very tall, with the sugar pine being the largest and tallest species. Some pine trees, like the Scots pine, have orange-brown bark, while others, like the Bhutan pine, have blue-green needles. The tallest living pine tree is a ponderosa pine in Oregon, which is over 268 feet 4 inches (81.79 meters) tall.
This Ponderosa Pine was found in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, specifically on the Wild Rivers Ranger District. The tree was measured using laser technology and direct climbing methods, confirming its height.
Structural Lumber
Ponderosa pine is extensively used as dimensional lumber in light construction. Its timber is easily milled and was one of the first western woods shipped in quantity to eastern markets in the early 20th century. Common construction uses have included framing (studs and joists), roof decking, and sheathing in houses where only moderate strength is required. By the mid-20th century, annual production of ponderosa pine lumber was very high; for example, harvests exceeded 3 billion board feet per year by the late 1930s and peaked at over 4 billion board feet in 1941.
In addition to sawtimber, ponderosa pine is used in round log form for various purposes. The straight trunks were historically sought for utility poles and fence posts; when properly dried or treated, the wood has fair durability in these uses. Early 20th-century mining operations also used ponderosa pine for mine timbers and tunnel supports. The wood from younger, fast-grown ponderosa pines tends to warp, limiting its use in structural applications. Historically, the highest quality heavy timbers came from large, old-growth trees.
In Nuclear Testing
During Operation Upshot–Knothole in 1953, a nuclear test was performed in which 145 ponderosa pines were cut down by the United States Forest Service and transported to Area 5 of the Nevada Test Site, where they were planted into the ground and exposed to a nuclear blast to see what the blast wave would do to a forest. The trees were partially burned and blown over.
Tree Weaver 