Some 20 species of pines are native to the mountains of California. Here are three distinctive and distinctively different Pinus species to appreciate as you travel and perhaps in your yard. Pinus jeffreyi, P, coulteri and P. sabiniana are all adaptable and widespread. Each of them is a key element in more than one biome.
Pinus jeffryi, Jeffrey Pine
There is something in the air when one is among Jeffrey pines. Some say it's a whiff of vanilla, others say pineapple. Always dramatic: tall and straight, Jeffreys define the skyline throughout much of their range; dwarfed and bowed, they also define the tree-line, as in the well-known Ansel Adams photograph. They are equally at home edging a mountain meadow or a desert valley, out-competing other trees in some places through their tolerance for poor soil (including clay,) and in other places through their cold-hardiness.
The Jeffrey pine grows at a moderate rate, and may eventually reach 120 feet. Its deep and wide root system secures it against wind and also makes it inadvisable to try to dig even a small tree. Instead choose one that's been container-grown from seed. Plant it in full sun where it will have room to grow.
Pinus coulteri, Coulter pine
With upturned branches and dense clusters of blue-green needles, a Coulter pine otten displays the silhouette of a pointed arch. Stands of Coulters can be seen in the San Francisco Bay area on Mount Diablo and in the Santa Lucia mountains. It's also an element in the hills around Santa Barbara, Riverside and San Diego, and the Northern states of Baja California, Mexico.
Coulters tolerate wind and drought, growing at a moderate rate and reaching 30-to-60 feet. The Coulter pine, like the Jeffrey, is one of the only pines that tolerates clay soil. If planted in clay, it should be watered deeply (i.e. slowly) but not often.
Pinus sabiniana, Gray Pine, Ghost Pine, Foothill Pine, Sabine Pine
This striking tree gets the names Gray Pine and Ghost Pine from the long needles which glint silver against the charcoal gray of the mature bark. The name, Foothill Pine, denotes its occurrence at lower elevations than most California pines. It is particularly associated with the Coast Ranges where its needles are longer than further East. It can be found on the Southeastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, as well as the Klamath and Cascade Ranges, and at the edge of the Mojave Desert--at elevations from 100 to 7,000 feet. It contributes to the characteristic mix of colors and shades of several biomes including those characterized by deciduous Blue Oaks (Quercus douglasii), by mixed evergreen oaks (Q, chrysolepis and Q. wislizenii) and by Pinyon Pines (P. edulis.)
The Sabine Pine tolerates drought and grows well in many areas including Los Angeles and Seattle, the High Desert and the Great Basin. Its only requirement is well-drained soil. Growing quickly to 40 or 50 feet, it's useful in windbreaks and effective as a specimen or in combination with native shrubs such as manzanita (Arctostaphylos species), or gray-garden elements such as rabbit-brush (Chrysothamnus species) or Artemisia "Powis Castle". The large hard-shelled nuts, historically an important food, are delicious fresh or dried. The cones fall while still green and very heavy. They're often set as decorations near the fireplace where heat causes them to open slowly, releasing their seeds.
The Biggest Pine Cones
All three of these species boast very large cones; in fact they vie for the record. You may come across references to the cones being a hazard. Should this be a factor in your planting decisions? If a four-pound cone from a gray pine falls on you head, that could be serious. It won't happen, though unless you sit or stand directly beneath a tree that has cones ready to fall. The cones are few and very conspicuous on the tree, ripening in autumn.
In sum, you may want to avoid planting large-cone pines in a patio or a lawn where children play. One way to be sure no one sits beneath the tree is to plant shrubs around it. They'll have time to grow thick since young trees don't bear cones.
Planting a Pine Tree
In almost all cases, pines grow in well-drained soil that is neutral or acidic. They start their lives in the shade of larger trees. These species represent some of the few exceptions. They all tolerate alkalinity, so they're excellent choices for the arid West. Jeffreys and Coulters tolerate clay. Young Jeffrey pines need full sun.
Digging even a baby tree in the wild is almost never successful. Instead, choose a container-grown tree. These pines do best in unimproved soil, so you don't need compost and certainly do not add manure. The first year give a weekly soaking; after that, monthly. Established trees find their own water.
A Pine tree in Your Landscape
Pinus coulteri, P jeffreyi and P. sabiniana are all excellent evergreen trees for the windbreak. They should be spaced at least 10-to-15 feet apart and can be alternated with other trees or evergreen shrubs. Each of them can also be a strikingly beautiful specimen. Whether or not there's a place for one in your yard, It's easy to appreciate the shape, texture and color that the Jeffrey Pine, the Gray Pine, and the Coulter Pine contribute to a variety of native plant communities.
Evelyn Gaspar - Evelyn Gaspar is an educator and award-winning curriculum writer, cookbook author, nurserywoman and horticulture lecturer, and parent
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