Field ManualAll plants

Limber pine
Pinus flexilis E.James
Family: Pinaceae
Pet & Human Safety
People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them
No ASPCA page found for Pinus flexilis. Do not treat as pet-safe.
PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Naturalist Lore
Historical Background & Breeding Lore
The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.
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- Hardiness zones
USDA 4a-7b per NC State Plant Toolbox; USask writes its tree list for a Zone 3 garden (list-wide statement; USask also calls its hardiness and durability "rock solid")
- Light
Full sun to partial shade per NC State.
- Water needs
low low is a plain-language reading of NC State (tagged drought tolerant and dry-soil tolerant; good drainage; grows best in moist well-drained soil but very adaptable) and USask (native to dry hillsides). Always finger-test two inches down.
- Mature size
NC State: 30-60 ft tall and 15-35 ft wide; medium growth rate; available space more than 60 ft
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
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Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics
How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.
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Field Doctor
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
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Vintage Plates
Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.
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