Wood: The
ponderosa pine provides the most timber of all American pines and, in total
annual production, is second only to Douglas-fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii). The wood is rather light and soft and
is used for plywood, paneling, mill products, toys, furniture and many other
products.
Wildlife: This species is very important to wildlife. Birds, squirrels and chipmunks consume the seeds; mule deer, porcupines and rodents feed on the saplings; and the needles provide evergreen cover and nesting materials for various species.
Horticulture:Ponderosa pines are used for ornamental and conservation plantings in Iowa because they are tolerant of drought and calcareous soils. The Rocky Mountain variety is P. ponderosa var. scopulorum. The Arizona pine, P. ponderosa var. arizonica, grows in southern New Mexico, Arizona and northern Mexico and has needles in fascicles of 5, and smaller cones.
