Species:

(Pinus jeffreyi Grev. et Balf.)
-> Genus: Pinus (Pinus) -> Family: Pinaceae (Pinaceae) -> Group: Gymnosperms

Habitus

  • tree growing to a height of 30 - 50 m
  • crown is broadly conical to ovoid, relatively sparse
  • branches grow in whorls, are thick, horizontal, they stand out and protrude at the ends
  • the bark is grey-brown, relatively smooth for a long time
  • the bark is split into larger rectangular layered plates gray-brown on the surface, reddish-brown inside

Shoots

  • annual shoots are thick, greenish, bluish-colored
  • in the second year they are greenish-brown with remains of brown
  • branches smell of lemon oil when broken

Leaves (assimilation organs)

  • needle-shaped leaves
  • needles are 150 - 250 x 1.5 - 2.0 mm large, sharply pointed, triangular in cross-section, slightly serrated along the edges, bluish-green, firm, straight
  • they are grouped in groups of 3 on brachyblasts (section Pinaster, subsection Taeda)
  • they last 3-4 years on a twig

Flowers

  • monoecious tree, flowers of different sexes, blooms in May
  • ♂ cones are 2.0 - 3.0 x 0.8 x 1.1 cm large, oblong-ovoid, blunt, reddish-yellow, growing at the base of this year's shoot
  • ♀ cones are 2.0 - 2.5 x 1.0 - 1.2 cm large, ovoid, red, later purple, erect to 2.0 - 2.5 cm long stem, they grow singly or 2-3 at the end of this year's shoots

Fruits – seeds

  • the fruit is a cone 15 - 25 x 8 - 11 cm large, oblong-ovoid, reddish-brown, stalked
  • the seed scales have cone-shaped cones with a point with a transverse ridge
  • the umbilicus extends into a 3-4 mm long sharp point
  • the seed is 10-12 x 7-8 mm large, oblong-ovoid, marbled with a pincer-shaped 2.5-3.0 cm long wing

Extension

  • originally widespread in the western part of North America of the continent from southern Oregon to California
  • grows on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada at altitudes of 1,600 to 2,700 m above sea level
  • was introduced to Europe in 1852

Ecology

  • it is a light-loving woody plant, undemanding to the content of nutrients in the soil and soil moisture
  • it grows in areas with a wetter climate on soils less well supplied with nutrients
  • forms homogeneous stands or stands mixed with fir (Abies noncolor)
  • moderately resistant to low temperatures

Significance

  • decorative tree with a habit (gives a massive impression, similar to the limbo pine)
  • decorative with long, fan-shaped needles and large cones