Pinus sabiniana

This lovely pine endemic to California is fast-growing to typically 40-50', although they can then slowly reach as high as 150', featuring an open, irregular form and long grayish-green needles in bundles of 3, the large, heavy cones provide edible nuts; prefers rocky well-drained soils, but is tolerant of serpentine soil; also the only known food source of the Gelechiid moth larvae. S/D

An extremely heat and drought tolerant species, the Ghost Pine is native to the mountains and foothills of California and is easily recognized by its ghostly white color. They have a tendency to produce multiple trunks and often trees will stop growing an upright leader altogether and develop a shape more like an Oak. Western Redbud almost always seems to be found growing amongst Ghost Pine stands and the mix of gray-white pine needles and pink Redbud flowers covering hillsides is common south of Shasta.

Gray pine is a fast growing, drought-tolerant, native evergreen conifer. Mature trees average from 40 to 80 feet in height. A great tree for light shade in a dry garden. The most drought resistant of all Pines, and the only that has forked branches. The silver or olive gray needles are 6 to 12 inches long and held loosely, three to a bundle. Grows well with blue oak, interior live oak, or California buckeye. Foothill pine makes an excellent specimen tree; it is also a good choice for roadside plantings and lightly used areas, where its cones are unlikely to fall on people. Native to California and to Oregon Pinus sabiniana needles are the only known food of the caterpillars of the Gelechiid moth Chionodes sabinianus. Native Americans ate the seeds, and its resin was used for medicinal purposes. Some groups relied heavily on pine nuts for food. Found in open habitats on serpentine soils. Communitites located in Foothill Woodland Between 0 and 4500 feet.

Upright tree with an open habit, a usually forked trunk, and small drooping branches. Deep rooted and fast growing, mature specimens can reach 30-50' tall and 25-40' wide. The blue to gray-green needles are arranged in fascicles (bundles) of threes and range from 8-13" long. The cones are 6-10" and hold edible seeds that were an important food source for Native Americans. Adapted to drought and poor soils, this is a good choice for hot, dry foothills and valleys on shallow, coarse, gravelly soils. Requires full sun and occasional to infrequent water. Hardy to below 0F. California, along the Sacramento and Trinity rivers, Santa Ynez Range, and Tehachapi Pass.