Pinus sabiniana
Foothill Pine, Gray Leaf Pine
Description
The foothill or gray pine grows natively only in California, roughly in an elongated ring surrounding California's Central Valley. This species often grows with blue oaks (Quercus douglasii) in foothill woodlands. It is a long-needled, three-needle pine with sparse bluish-gray foliage. The crooked, black-barked trunk bears irregular, spreading to upright branches. The large brown seed cones are armed with stout, recurved prickles like those on Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri), edible for wildlife during fall. This conical-shaped tree slowly reaches 70' tall and 15-20' wide. This pine does best in full sun with sandy or loam soil. Mature trees have low water needs.
Plant Type
Tree, Conifer
Height Range
60-100'
Width Range
25-40'
Flower Color
n/a
Flower Season
n/a
Leaf Color
Blue Green, Grey Green
Bark Color
Brown
Fruit Color
Brown
Fruit Season
Fall
Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
Growth Rate
Fast, Moderate
Soil Type
Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular
Soil Condition
Average, Well-drained, Dry
Soil pH
Neutral
Adverse Factors
Thorns/Spines
Design Styles
Formal, Japanese, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish
Accenting Features
Multi-trunk Tree
Seasonal Interest
n/a
Location Uses
Background
Special Uses
n/a
Attracts Wildlife
n/a
Water Saving Tip:
Check your irrigation controller once a month, and adjust as necessary.
Most plants require only one-third as much water in winter as they do in summer.