Lacebark Pine
Pinus bungeana
Lacebark Pine (Pinus bungeana) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 30 to 50 ft tall and 20 to 35 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium to high water, and prefers full sun. needs well drained soil.
medium to high water30 to 50 ft tall and 20 to 35 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: (c) capacoscar, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 4: (c) 振远 王, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 5: (c) Kenpei, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 7
- Water needs
- medium to high water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 30 to 50 ft tall and 20 to 35 ft wide
- Mature form
- Irregular / open
- Spacing / clearance
- ~35 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Ignitable (CSU): keep 30+ ft from the house, thinned
Common problems on the Front Range
- Mountain pine beetle in drought-stressed pines
- Pine wilt nematode (esp. Scots and Austrian pine)
- Pine needle scale
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lacebark Pine good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Lacebark Pine is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Lacebark Pine get?
- It matures to about 30 to 50 ft tall and 20 to 35 ft wide.
- How much room does Lacebark Pine need?
- Give Lacebark Pine about 35 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Lacebark Pine grow into?
- Lacebark Pine typically grows into an irregular, picturesque outline that varies from plant to plant. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Lacebark Pine hardy on the Front Range?
- Lacebark Pine is hardy in USDA 3 to 7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Lacebark Pine need?
- It needs medium to high water once established.
- How fast does Lacebark Pine grow?
- Lacebark Pine is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Lacebark Pine live?
- Lacebark Pine is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Lacebark Pine native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Lacebark Pine a good firewise plant near the house?
- Lacebark Pine is listed by CSU Extension among the more ignitable plants, so keep it 30 or more feet from the house and keep it thinned and well maintained. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Lacebark Pine prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Lacebark Pine can be affected by mountain pine beetle in drought-stressed pines and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
