Description

Coulter pine grows in coastal mountains from Mt. Diablo into northern Baja. It grows as an open, vase-shaped tree to as tall as 140 feet. The bark is gray and furrowed. It is very similar to the gray pine, Pius sabiniana. One point of distinction is the massive cone of the Coulter pine - the largest of any conifer, and one of the many superlatives associated with California’s conifers. The cones hold seed in large quantity which they hold for years until the cones are opened by fire. This is one of many California natives helped by wildfires. Squirrels harvest the pine nuts by chewing at the base of the cone until it falls to the ground where they can methodically extricate the seeds. Plant the Coulter pine in open areas where falling cones present no danger. A sunny site with decent drainage is ideal for this pine.