I was born in Meeker. I don't know about these pines retaining their
branches and needles to ground level. The lost of lower branches has
happened with some of my pines but only after many years... and then I just
plant Rhodies under them. I don't think that would work in your area. I
just bought a Leyland cypress for a corner of my yard and saw some really
pretty cedars of other types that are medium size and I think would do
better at keeping the lower branches... This site says the Leyland can be
trimmed to keep small. If you do it right, it would keep it's lower
branches.

http://ag.udel.edu/extension/information/hyg/hyg-91.htm


"Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm in Western Colorado near the Utah border - Grand Jct., actually, if
you know where that is.
Do you know if Bristlecone Pines retain their branches and needles all
the way down to ground level in shady areas. I have some other
Ponderosa-type pine trees that have dropped the needles off their lower
branches and over time the branches died as the trees grew taller. We
have some beautiful Blue Spruce around here, but they get much too
large for the space I have. The links you included were very helpful!
Thanks again,
Gary