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Home > Pine > Foxtail Pine

Foxtail Pine

The foxtail pine, found in the Kings Canyon National Parks and Sequoia National Park along with the subalpine zones, is a tree with great longevity. This is not a commercial plant and are not harvested commonly.

Foxtail Pine
Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Pinaceae
Genus Pinus
Subgenus P. subg. Strobus
Section P. sect. Parrya
Subsection P. subsect. Balfourianae
Scientific Name Pinus balfouriana
Foxtail Pine Tree
Foxtail Pine Cone

Quick Information

Identification Height: 30-70 ft (10-20 m)

Needles: Commonly clustered in bundles of 5 sizing 0.7-1.5 in (2-4 cm)

Trunk Diameter: Around 7 ft (2 m)

Cones : Long cones coloring dark purple to red 2.3 -4.3 in (6-11 cm)

Bark: Asymmetrically patched grayish salmon or rather cinnamon

Branches: Twisted

Twigs: Reddish brown at a young state and transforming into grayish yellow

Buds: Reddish brown
Tree Type Evergreen pine
Subspecies 1. Pinus balfouriana austrina or southern foxtail pine
2. Pinus balfouriana balfouriana  or northern foxtail pine
Distribution/Range Sierra Nevada, California
Habitat At elevations of 6,400–9,020 ft (in Klamath Mountains, and 7,500–11,500 (Sierra Nevada),
Hardiness Zone 5
Growth Rate Extremely slow
Lifespan 1000-2100, but can live up to 3000 years
Growing Conditions Sun: Both sunlight and partial shades

Soil Requirements: Serpentine soil, deep soil, and rocky soils

Water: Very little water
Diseases and Pests Mountain pine beetles and white pine blister rust
Reproductive System Through pollination
Seedling Development Happens throughout wet and mild winters
IUCN Conservation Status Near Threatened
Foxtail Pine Picture
Foxtail Pine Tree Image

Interesting Fact

  • The species has been crossed with Great Basin Bristlecone Pine.

References

  1. https://www.conifers.org/pi/Pinus_balfouriana.php
  2. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/pinbal/all.html
  3. https://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/501–pinus-balfouriana
  4. https://www.michaelkauffmann.net/2014/07/mount-linn/

Published on June 4th 2019 by Sahana Kanjilal under Pine.
Article was last reviewed on 2nd December 2022.

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