With green needles all year round this range will be a celebration of green! How does this tree help the environment? Ponderosa pine trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen with their substantial size and long lifespan making them good carbon sinks. They offer shelter, food and nesting sites for various species. Their dep root systems help anchor soil which reduces erosion and they improve soil structure and promot microbial activity. Not only that, but they have thick, insulating bark that protects them from low level fires with them playing a key role in restoring fire-adapted ecosystems especially in the West of the US where suppressing fires has changed ecosystems. The tree’s bark contains terpenes, aromatic compounds that help repel pests and attract beneficial insects. Finally, they thrive in dry and mountainous regions which makes them good for reforestation especially in areas affected by drought or climate change.