Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' / Taylor's Sunburst lodgepole pine
Pinus contortavar. latifolia'Taylor's Sunburst' is a narrow, upright tree-form of lodgepole pine with short, open branching and typical, medium-length dark green needles. What's makes this tree exceptional is its impressive golden-yellow push of fresh growth in spring. For 3 to 4 months each year, this plant will literally "light up" the garden. Later in the season, the needles will darken to normal, dark green. An added bonus are cherry red pollen cones that present at the same time as the golden foliage push.
After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure around 6 feet (2 m) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 6 to 8 inches (15 - 20 cm).
A photo of Dr. Allan Taylor with his brilliant discovery in the background.
This cultivar was found in 1984, growing in the wild in Colorado's Rocky Mountains at an elevation of about 9,000 feet (2,800 m) above sea level in the Indian Peaks Wilderness above Boulder. Dr. Allan Taylor of Boulder, Colorado is credited with the discovery. He described it as "a young lodgepole pine, around 35 feet (10 m) tall. The upper half was a gorgeous, lemon yellow, even in September. The lower half looked like any other lodgepole pine growing in shallow, infertile soil — scraggly and dull yellow-green.
In 1985 Dr. Taylor collected scionwood and sent it to Jean Iseli who grafted it and introduced it to the nursery trade though Iseli nursery, inc. The original tree is still alive in 2002, although most of the branches in the yellow zone have been collected.
Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' — a photo taken in mid-Michigan, June 1999
Photo by Charlene Harris
Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' — a photo taken in mid-Michigan, June 1999
Photo by Charlene Harris
Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' — a closeup of spring shoots, immature seed cone and female inflorescence.
Photo by Jeff Wagner
Comments
Gloria Medendorp
Could you explain some issues that taylors sunburst might have as it matures? I have one about5-6 years old and been doing good, this spring the bottom half of tree is sparse and needles brown, It does have new growth. Could it be lacking some mineral or something or just some sort of shedding? thx
Maxwell Cohn
where are you trying to grow it? This species is best suited for semi-arid steppe or high-desert climate.
Tabby
How is your Taylor's doing? Also I was hoping you could follow up with where you are located.
Gilbert H
I planted one in Northern California in November 2020 and it seems to be doing well. I was thinking of planting two more. What are your thoughts on planting in northern California?
Tabby
I'm interested in the answer to the question above. Mine are small still and haven't had any issues yet but I am in the PNW. I wonder how my Taylor's will fair. A question I do have is for a tree that is more for a semi arid environment, do you think I would be on the lower end of the growth rate range being in a more maritime climate? Or would that have anything to do with it.
Maxwell Cohn
Hi Tabby ... 'Taylor's Sunburst' is derived from a specimen of lodgepole pine found in Colorado. It won't work nearly as well in modified Mediterranean climate, but it's all right. I've found that these trees are magnets for sequoia moth (Synanthedon sequoiae). While they won't outright kill the tree, the bugs will weaken them over time and make them look really ugly.
Edith Pederson
My 'Taylor's Sunburst' is about 6 years old..planted in well-drained loam with compost and peat. It is so beautiful, but each spring I have to prune back dead material at the bottom of the tree.
Comments
Could you explain some issues that taylors sunburst might have as it matures? I have one about5-6 years old and been doing good, this spring the bottom half of tree is sparse and needles brown, It does have new growth. Could it be lacking some mineral or something or just some sort of shedding? thx
where are you trying to grow it? This species is best suited for semi-arid steppe or high-desert climate.
How is your Taylor's doing? Also I was hoping you could follow up with where you are located.
I planted one in Northern California in November 2020 and it seems to be doing well. I was thinking of planting two more. What are your thoughts on planting in northern California?
I'm interested in the answer to the question above. Mine are small still and haven't had any issues yet but I am in the PNW. I wonder how my Taylor's will fair. A question I do have is for a tree that is more for a semi arid environment, do you think I would be on the lower end of the growth rate range being in a more maritime climate? Or would that have anything to do with it.
Hi Tabby ... 'Taylor's Sunburst' is derived from a specimen of lodgepole pine found in Colorado. It won't work nearly as well in modified Mediterranean climate, but it's all right. I've found that these trees are magnets for sequoia moth (Synanthedon sequoiae). While they won't outright kill the tree, the bugs will weaken them over time and make them look really ugly.
My 'Taylor's Sunburst' is about 6 years old..planted in well-drained loam with compost and peat. It is so beautiful, but each spring I have to prune back dead material at the bottom of the tree.
Is there something I can do to help? Thank you.