Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Pinus lambertiana (commonly known as the sugar pine or sugar cone pine) is the tallest and most massive pine tree, and has the longest cones of any conifer. It is native to the mountains of the Pacific coast of North America, from Oregon through California to Baja California. The sugar pine occurs in the mountains of Oregon and California in the western United States, and Baja California in northwestern Mexico; specifically the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges, and Sierra San Pedro Martir. The sugar pine is the largest species of pine, commonly growing to 40-60 meters (130-200 ft) tall, exceptionally up to 82 m (269 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of 1. 5-2. 5 m (4. 9-8. 2 ft), exceptionally 3. 5 m (11 ft). Pinus lambertiana is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in bundles (fascicles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. They are 6-11 cm (2. 4-4. 3 in)ch) long. Sugar pine is notable for having the longest cones of any conifer, mostly 25-50 cm (9. 8-19. 7 in) long, exceptionally up to 66 cm (26 in) long (although the cones of the Coulter pine are more massive). The seeds are 10-12 mm (0. 39-0. 47 in) long, with a 2-3 cm (0. 79-1. 18 in) long wing that aids wind dispersal. The seeds of the sugar pine are also a type of pine nut and are edible.

Plant type

Tree

Size

40 - 230 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Calscape icon
Color

Brown

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Bank stabilization

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Maintenance

Prune in winter when wood boring insects are less active.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: 2-3 mos. stratification (USDA Forest Service 1974).

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7, 15*, 16, 17

Site type

Forests

Plant communities

Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Bats
Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 90 likely

Confirmed Likely

Sugar Pine Tortrix Moth

Choristoneura lambertiana

Sequoia Pitch Moth

Synanthedon sequoiae

Acleris bowmanana

Common Gray

Anavitrinella pampinaria