Culling this clump of lodgepoles.

[azmtnman]

  Would you cull this clump? 

  

 
If so, which do I take out? There are some small ones (5 or 6" dbh) that I will remove. Do I take out the leaners? Leave the big ones, remove all the small?
   The idea here is just to utilize anything if I can and keep the area around it healthy.

[Clark]

If those aren't ponderosa pine then I don't know what is...

To the point, thin it by taking out the small ones and those that won't grow into the next higher value product class always. Beyond that it is tough to say, a picture is only good for so much and it will never beat being there in person.

Clark

[Rocky_Ranger]

Lodgepole don't grow that far south, they are indeed ponderosa's.  Looks like "PJ" in the backround so you have a pretty dry, rocky site there to begin with.  Ponderosa is showing signs of mistletoe too so whack the heck out of that clump.  Open 3 sides to the sun on your leave trees and cut the rest.

[azmtnman]

If those aren't ponderosa pine then I don't know what is...
Clark

Brain fart!!! I don't know why I called them lodgepoles!  :D :D :D I know better.

  Looks like "PJ" in the backround so you have a pretty dry, rocky site there to begin with. 

Yes, sir. You would be right. This immediate area is a mix of PJ and ponderosa.

  Ponderosa is showing signs of mistletoe too so whack the heck out of that clump.  Open 3 sides to the sun on your leave trees and cut the rest.

I didn't notice the mistletoe and don't see it in the pic. (I might be thinking of lichen)
Thanks for the advice.

[Rocky_Ranger]

The bottom picture, all the way to the left, swollen limb about half way up = classic sign of mistletoe.

Also, "lodgepole" and "blackjack" sometimes refer to second growth pine - just depends on the age of the individual saying the words and location in the US....

[enigmaT120]

I learned lodgepole as pinus contorta.  I like that the Latin and common names contradict each other.