Pinus flexilis 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' is a tall-growing pyramidal selection of limber pine that flushes with green new growth that later matures with long, soft, twisted, blue-green needles. Typical of this species, the branches are extremely flexible. When young, this plant is very dense and distinctive. In order to maintain this desirable denseness, it is necessary to candle prune the new growth each spring. This plant shows robust vigor and is highly resistant to disease attacks. Annual rate of growth can be expected to be 12 to 18 inches (30 - 45 cm), making a specimen mature at 15 feet (5 m) or more after 10 years.
Click here to see the original registration document and correspondence regarding this plant, courtesy of former ACS President, Frank Goodhart.
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in the mid 1960s by Rein Vanderwolf, former lead propagator for Vermeulen & Son Nursery, Neshanic Station, New Jersey, USA. Rein, accompanied by Peter Vermeulen found the original plant growing in the field at George Bloomer Nursery, in Flemington, New Jersey while collecting scionwood for propagation. Rein described the new plant as "different."
This "different" plant was eventually named in honor of Rein Vanderwolf and introduced to the nursery trade by Vermeulen & Son Nursery in 1972.
