On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a Pine tree!  I just can’t seem to get excited about pear trees this time of the year,  but this conifer has been on my mind.  Chief Joseph Pine is a bright little gem that sparkles in the winter when it’s foliage switches from summer green to a glowing golden yellow.  Wow!  When I saw Chief Joseph last week it was true tree love.  It looks like it’s been plugged in with all the other Christmas lights, it’s that bright!  And then I saw the price of this electric pine….$247.50!  That’s real commitment.  Trading your hard-earned cash for a tree, and a rather small one at that, isn’t  easy. But I like to remind people that they have no problem spending money on a a really good dinner or a couple of movie tickets, so why not a tree?  It lasts a lot longer.  Chief Joseph is difficult to propagate which is why there are not many of then for sale and they are so expensive.  This tree was discovered in the mountains of Eastern Oregon and named after the famous Nez Perce Indian leader, Chief Joseph.  This year skip the partridge and just take the pine!

Just the Facts
Pinus contorta v. latifolia ‘Chief Joseph’
Height 6 ft. (2m) Width 3 ft. (1m)
Zones 5-9
Evergreen, golden winter foliage
Slow growing, 2-4 inches/year
Well drained soil
Sun/Part Shade