First documented and introduced by plant-hunter David Douglas (1799–1834) in 1831 while exploring the base of Mount St. Helens. Associated with maritime cloud forests, where it tends to grow in pure stands. Often found growing in wet, boggy ground.

Natural range extends from Alberta and British Columbia, southwards through Washington, Oregon and California, and further inland in Montana and Idaho. A relatively unusual specimen tree in Europe, less common than the visually similar Weymouth Pine.

Monoecious. Female cones mature over two years, producing up to 300 seeds per cone. Individuals can be fertile from just seven years old.

To 35m, with a fairly narrow, pyramidal crown. Bark grey-brown with hexagonal scaly plates. Shoots finely downy. Needles glaucous, in fives, slender, 10cm, fairly stiff. Cones slender and long, to 30cm, the basal scales curving back. Weymouth Pine differs: shoots not downy, needles less stout.

Grows best in moist, deep, acidic soils. Seeds need prolonged cold stratification to break dormancy. Will tolerate some shade when young.

Usually found growing in mixed forest stands, with a diverse herbaceous flora.

Highly susceptible to white pine blister-rust, causing leaf spotting, leaf loss, and ultimately is fatal. Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) is a serious pest in its natural range.

Native Americans used its heated sap to waterproof boats and fix arrowheads, and chewed the resin. Natural stands were heavily logged in the twentieth century, especially in Idaho, the straight grain prized for nails and its resistance to splitting when nailed. Wildfire and disease have since limited forestry. An attractive ornamental, valued for its cones.