Alternate name: Bigcone Pine
Family: Pinaceae, Pine view all from this family
Description Straight-trunked tree with rows of nearly horizontal branches formed annually, an open, thin, irregular crown, and very large, heavy cones.
Height: 40-70' (12-21 m).
Diameter: 1-2 1/2" (0.3-0.8 m).
Needles: evergreen; 3 in bundle; crowded at ends of stout, brown twigs; 8-12" (20-30 cm) long. Very stout, stiff, sharp-pointed; light gray-green, with many white lines.
Bark: dark gray, thick, deeply furrowed into scaly ridges, becoming slightly shaggy; blackish-gray, very rough, divided into rectangular plates on branches.
Cones: 8-12" (20-30 cm) long; egg-shaped, bent down on very stout stalk, very heavy, slightly shiny yellow-brown, resinous; opening gradually and remaining on tree; cone-scales very long, thick, sharply keeled, with very long, stout spine flattened and curved forward. Seeds very large, elliptical, dark brown, thick-walled, edible, with detachable wing.
Habitat Dry, rocky slopes and ridges in foothills and mountains; with other conifers.
Range Central and S. California; also N. Baja California; at 3000-6000' (914-1829 m); rarely at 1000-7000' (305-2134 m).
Discussion This pine has the heaviest cones of all pines in the world, often weighing 4-5 pounds (1.8-2.3 kilos). The lightweight, soft wood serves for rough lumber and fuel. Indians once gathered and ate the large seeds; now squirrels and other wildlife consume the annual crop. It was discovered in 1831 by Thomas Coulter (1793-1843), the Irish botanist and physician, who collected plants in Mexico and California.
