How to Grow Ponderosa Pine in the Midwest

Find an appropriate location on your property to plant the ponderosa pine. Choose a spot where the tree receives a minimum of 10 hours of sunlight daily. A deep soil--at least 4 feet thick before reaching bedrock--that's moist yet well-drained is needed. While a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal, ponderosa pine succeeds in acidic to alkaline soils that are gritty loam or sand enriched with organic matter. Avoid shallow soils or those that flood or get soggy after light rains.

Purchase a small-sized container-grown sapling. Digging and transplanting ponderosa pines is tricky because of the taproot, but container-raised plants have an intact root system that readily establishes after planting, with minimal disturbance. Seeds may also be sown directly where the tree is to grow, but they take longer to develop into mature trees.

Dig a planting hole the same depth as the tree's root ball but two to three times as wide. Plant the pine so the top of the root ball matches the top rim of the planting hole. Don't plant too deeply. In heavier loam or clay soils, plant the root ball 1 to 2 inches above grade.

Backfill the planting hole with native soil. Don't amend the soil placed back into the hole with organic matter or fertilizer. Place an organic mulch atop the soil in a wide swath around the newly planted tree to conserve soil moisture, prevent weeds and to decompose and supply nutrients to the roots. Keep the mulch 4 inches away from the trunk.

Irrigate the newly planted ponderosa pine to maintain an evenly moist soil for the first 12 to 18 months. The original root ball cannot become dry, and the surrounding planting soil not too wet. Don't over-water as wet soils easily kill ponderosa pines.

Maintain a moderately fertile soil by replenishing the organic matter layer under the tree the rest of its life. There's no need to over-fertilize with granular products as this tree is already fast-growing if the soil naturally contains nutrients and isn't too dry.