From the Rocky Mountain Research Station:
In Colorado’s Front Range, restoring fire-dependent ponderosa forests is a management priority often informed by understanding the historical structure and ecological function of these forests. Retention of old ponderosa pine trees within restored stands provides forests with a diversity of age structure, genetics, and resilience to low to moderate severity wildfires.
Ponderosa pine trees reveal their ages through several morphological characteristics that change over their potentially long lives.