Whitebark Pine and Foxtail Pine in Northwest California

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Whitebark Pine and Foxtail Pine in Northwest California

whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) Pinaceae cones are variable from year to whitebark pine and foxtail pine year but distinct when present needles are dense near tips of branches, but not as tightly packed as in foxtail pines in northwest California Bark: grayish-white to brownish-white, with thinly furrowed blocking patterns at the base in older trees (somewhat scaly); new growth is white, sap smells fruity Needles: 2.5-5cm, yellow-green, in groups of 5, tightly wrapped near the stem, though not as tight and defined as the foxtail pine; some stomatal bloom on all surfaces Cones: 5-8cm, purplish, symmetrical, resinous, “grenade-like,” do not open on tree at maturity Habitat: subalpine, arid, exposed—only at the upper reaches of highest peaks on ridges, moun- Platetain tops, 1 and north-facing cirques foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana Pinaceae cone crops dangle at varied angles, decorating the big-sky thick, dense “bottle-brush” growth at tips of branches is a diagnostic character Range* of foxtail pine ( ) Pinus balfouriana Range* of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) Bark: light gray (central Klamath) to reddish-brown (eastern Klamath) with platy, deep, * based on Little (1971) and Griffin and Critchfield (1976) irregular blocking; furrows are narrow and shallow but well defined in older trees * based on Little (1971) and Griffin and Critchfield (1976) Needles: short (2-4cm), 5 per bundle, dense clusters that grow from the branches in Michael Kauffmann | www.conifercountry.com Michael Kauffmann | www.conifercountry.com circular rings, color is different from other pines in the range—a deep blue-green Cones: 10-13cm inches long, stout, and tapering to a point, without tips on scales Habitat: dry south-facing slopes 2000-2700m, generally exposed, in evenly spaced forests—good habitat can facilitate pure stands, often on serpentine www.conifercountry.com.

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