Pinus balfouriana - Foxtail Pine

Description

Foxtail Pine is a member of the subalpine forest, it occurs in the high Sierra Nevadas and in the North Coast Ranges at elevations above 6000'. It is found on dry rocky slopes and ridges. The crown is bushy but narrow with short spreading branches which are irregular in length. The stout stiff needles are blue-green on the outer surface, the inner, white with many rows of stomates. They persist for 8-12 years or more, which helps to produce such thick foliage. The cones are pendulous, about 2-3 1/2" long and dark red-brown.