Stand on the sunny side of a Ponderosa pine. Breathe deep. One of the finest scents in Colorado comes from one of the sturdiest plants in the state. The mighty Ponderosa pine can grow well over 100 feet tall, with a solid trunk covered in thick plates of bark. And beneath that armor, viscous and sticky, with a whiff of butterscotch or vanilla, there’s another defense mechanism: its resin. A Ponderosa’s resin oozes from the tree when injured to keep trouble at bay. Its distinctive scent comes from chemicals called terpenes, which can kill or repel insects. Recent research from CU points to yet another complex ecological superpower of the Ponderosa: over time, as birds dine on pine beetles, it may change the flavor profile of its terpenes to make itself less attractive to troublesome pests and more resilient to stand tall for hundreds and hundreds of years.
About Colorado Postcards
Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado.
