Coulter pine

Appearance

''Pinus coulteri'' is a substantial coniferous evergreen tree in the genus ''Pinus''. The size ranges from 10–24 m tall, and a trunk diameter up to 1 m . The trunk is vertical and branches horizontal to upcurved. The leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, glaucous gray-green, 15–30 cm long and stout, 2 mm thick.

The outstanding characteristic of this tree is the large, spiny cones which are 20–40 cm long, and weigh 2–5 kg when fresh. Coulter pines produce the largest cones of any pine tree species , although the slender cones of the sugar pine are longer. The large size of the cones has earned them the nickname "widowmakers" among locals.

Habitat

The Coulter pine is closely related to the foothill pine, ''Pinus sabiniana''. It is more distantly related to Jeffrey pine with which it shares habitats, and the ponderosa pine. Coulter pines tend to grow in drier environments than ponderosa and Jeffery pines.

This erect, medium-sized pine prefers south-facing slopes between 200–2,300 m elevation, and tolerates dry rocky soil. ''Pinus coulteri'' most often appears in mixed forests. The Coulter pine occurs in a number of forest plant associations; for example, At higher elevations forestation of the San Jacinto Mountains Coulter Pine is co-dominant with the California black oak. Woodpeckers often forage on the species, and peel the bark to access insects underneath.

Uses

Wildlife, especially squirrels, gather the large seeds. They were also once eaten by Native Americans.

The wood is weak and soft, so that the species is little used other than for firewood.

''Pinus coulteri'' is cultivated as an ornamental tree, planted in parks and large gardens, and drought tolerant landscaping. The Coulter pine has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.