This means that the cones are closed and must be exposed to high temperatures, such as from forest fires, in order to open and release their seeds.

[17] Pinus contorta occurs from upper, dry montane forests to the subalpine region of western North America.

[18][19][5] It can be found on the western side of the Cascades, in inland British Columbia, and on the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, except where it is too high and dry.

[8] Lodgepole pine can tolerate relatively hostile environments such as high-elevation volcanic rock in Central Oregon (e.g. Crater Lake) and thin soils on the eastern slope of the Cascades.

[19][5] Shore pine can be found in very infertile soils in coastal regions from Southeast Alaska to Northern California.

[8] Lodgepole and shore pine can be found intermingled (and apparently hybridized) north of Puget Sound.

[8] Less dependent on fire, tamarack pine can be found in California's upper mountains and mingled with lodgepole in Oregon.

Pinus contorta is a fire-dependent species, requiring wildfires to maintain healthy populations of diverse ages.

The density of tree stands with the species inhibit the establishment of an understory (allowing ladder fuel to form), and surface fire is rare regardless.

[21] Suillus tomentosus, a fungus, produces specialized structures called tuberculate ectomycorrhizae with the roots of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var.

These structures have been shown to be the location of concentrations of nitrogen-fixing bacteria which contribute a significant amount of nitrogen to tree growth and allow the pines to colonize nutrient-poor sites.

[8] It is also affected by blue stain fungus (Grosmannia clavigera), which the mountain pine beetle carries in its mouth.

Both the threat of pine beetles and dwarf mistletoe are curbed by wildfires, which occurred less in the 20th century due to firefighting.

[8] A study released in 2011 concluded that Pinus contorta could experience significant reductions in distribution due to climate change by the late 21st century.

[3][4][27] The common name "lodgepole pine" comes from the custom of Native Americans using the tall, straight trees to construct lodges (tepees) in the Rocky Mountain area.

[8] Tree plantations of Pinus contorta have been planted extensively in Norway, Sweden, Ireland and the UK for forestry, such as timber uses.

[39] The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest and of California used different parts of the plant internally and externally as a traditional medicine for various ailments.

murrayana for use in traditional and wildlife gardens, and as smaller selections of the native plant for natural landscaping.

The shore pine's smaller varieties and cultivars are also used in container gardening, including as large bonsai specimens.