The Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata) is a short needle conifer. Typically these species grow at high elevations on unsheltered ridges where they endure snow and winds through the winter that prevents these trees from growing tall.
The Pine is an evergreen tree with sharp pointed leaves, called needles, which stem from a scaly sheath in bundles of two, three or five. The seeds are contained in a cone that usually ripens the following year. The pine is frequently used for Bonsai because, being evergreen it looks well throughout the year and it also has the added quality of longevity.