Shadey-

It should do well in Chicago area. It can be a very pretty tree. I planted three in west central Ohio last year. They are only about 18" to begin with, but putting out some nice buds this year. It will grow to be a large tree, growing 12" or more a year. They have long soft needles with a blueish tint to them. They are very similar (in my opinion) to a White Pine, but much more full, and better color providing more interest.

The local Home Depot had some nice ones last year (5-6 feet). That's where I came across them. I went home to research them, but before I could get back to get them they had sold so I began searching for them online. This year all the big box's have them.

One benefit to note is that they are disease resistant.

Good luck.

Eliot

Check out the ACS data base on them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pinus flexis 'Vanderwolf's Pyrimid'

Isn't there a theory that this is actually a variant of Southwestern White Pine? Mine is doing pretty well in the high desert of NM - hmm - it should be drought tolerant as well. The humidity may be the kicker in eastern climates. They may not like hot humid summer weather.

Very susceptible to White pine Blister Rust Cronartium ribicola, unfortunately. Not treatable, either.

Resin

They've been selling this cultivar like hot cakes here in Eastern Kansas for the past 10 years or so. They don't seem to mind our quite hot and humid summers yet. I believe this selection is supposed to be highly resistant to most Pine diseases and that was one of the things that made it stand out enough to be named. Of course that doesn't mean immune, or at least I would be surprised if it was.

"Isn't there a theory that this is actually a variant of Southwestern White Pine?"

Forgot to deal with this - yes, correct, it's a cultivar of Pinus reflexa (syn. Pinus strobiformis auct. non Engelmann).

Resin

And just to further clarify, Pinus strobiformis Engelmann is only found native in Mexico. So, in order from North to South as far as native range goes, it's P. flexilis(SW Canada to Northern New Mexico and Northern Arizona), P. reflexa(Southern Arizona and New Mexico), P. strobiformis(Northern Mexico). I believe this is correct from previous discussions here, right?

does just fine for me.. due east of you in z5 adrain MI

ken

"I believe this is correct from previous discussions here, right?"

Yep! The border between P. flexilis and P. reflexa is a little further north, ± along the AZ-UT and NM-CO border.

Also P. strobiformis in NW Mexico only; P. stylesii (recently described) in NE Mexico

Resin

P. stylesii (recently described) in NE Mexico

I noticed a few fellow botanists are resisting your new species. I suppose that's just the typical skepticism of something old being redefined as something new.