top of page
Pinus sabiniana
Douglas
Gray Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus sabiniana is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to mountainous areas of California.
Description
Pinus sabiniana is a medium to large tree, growing up to 25, but sometimes 50 m tall with a trunk that grows up to 1.2 to 1.5 m wide. Its crown is conical at first, then becoming cylindrical and vase-shaped, often with multiple trunks dividing at the base. Branches are often upright, slender, and sparsely covered with foliage. Needles are flexible and drooping, typically 20 to 25 cm in bundles of 3. They are dull grayish green with conspicuous white bands (which are stomata) on all three sides of the leaves, and they persist on the tree for 3 to 4 years. Sheaths are 20 to 25 mm long, and are persistent. Buds are 10 to 15 mm long, and are resinous. The bark is dark brown to grayish brown, divided into deep, dark furrows. Twigs are dull and grayish with a thin waxy coating and are hairless. Pollen cones are 10 to 15 mm, yellow. Seed cones are 15 to 25 cm long, broadly egg-shaped, on a thick, 2 to 5 cm long stalk. They are green, ripening to light brown. Cones have 90 to 120 scales that are thick and woody; the exposed face is long, thick, and triangular, becoming a curved spiny shape at the end. These cones open widely to release their seeds and stay on the tree for 5 or more years. Seeds are 20 to 25 mm long, with an easily detachable wing that is 10 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
The closely related Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri) has needles that do not droop, and larger and heavier cones. The two species do not hybridize (Eckenwalder 2009).
The closely related Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri) has needles that do not droop, and larger and heavier cones. The two species do not hybridize (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
The wood of Pinus sabiniana is high in resin and generally useful only for railroad ties, pallets, and wood chips. Its high resin content, however, means that Native Americans used the resin as a sealant, and oils and turpentine can be obtained from the needles and twigs. Its seeds are edible, and were eaten by Native Americans, but are not grown commercially (Farjon 2013).
Distribution
Pinus sabiniana is native to dry foothills, sometimes on chaparral, at altitudes between 50 and 1800 m. It is native to the mountain ranges surrounding the Central Valley of California: the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Ranges (Farjon 2013).
Status
Pinus sabiniana is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern". It has a limited distribution, and faces some threat from urban development in some areas (Farjon 2013).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus sabiniana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42413A2978429.en.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus sabiniana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42413A2978429.en.
Description
bottom of page