As you can see, the Ponderosa Pine forests are primarily found throughout western North America.    (C. Lawson)

The Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) was named by Scottish botanist and plant explorer David Douglas in 1836. This tree is an evergreen that lives about 500 years or longer. Trees older than 500 years can be identified by their smooth, pale-orange bark and flat-topped canopy. The Ponderosa is native to western North America, but can be found in smaller numbers across the United States. It is not very popular on the East Coast, and must have been introduced in small numbers to areas like Vermont since there are no government records of its presence here. Ponderosas grow primarily throughout the Western United States and Canada, used as a major lumber source for early settlers in the West. They live in relatively dry climates such as warm, dry forests or bordering deserts, and are often found in rocky or sandy soils. This is because of their two unique characteristics: their superior drought tolerance and fire-resistant bark.