Pinus sabiniana

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Gray pine

Gray pine is a fast growing, drought-tolerant, native evergreen conifer. Mature trees average from 40 to 80 feet in height. Space 35’0″ apart.

A great tree for light shade in a dry garden. The most drought resistant of all Pines, and the only that has forked branches. The silver or olive gray needles are 6 to 12 inches long and held loosely, three to a bundle.

Grows well with blue oak, interior live oak, or California buckeye. Foothill pine makes an excellent specimen tree; it is also a good choice for roadside plantings and lightly used areas, where its cones are unlikely to fall on people.

Lifeform: Tree

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade

Water: Dry, Light

Soil: Clay, Loam, Sand

Other: Attracts Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant

Ecological Value

Pinus sabiniana needles are the only known food of the caterpillars of the Gelechiid moth Chionodes sabinianus.

Historical Uses

Native Americans ate the seeds, and its resin was used for medicinal purposes. Some groups relied heavily on pine nuts for food.

Distribution

Native to California and to Oregon

Elevation

Between 0 and 4500 feet

Communities

Foothill Woodland

Habitat

Open habitats on serpentine soils