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Pinus lambertiana
Douglas
Sugar Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus lambertiana is a large coniferous tree species in the family Pinaceae. It is native to western North America, and is used for lumber due to its impressive size.
Description
Pinus lambertiana is a tall evergreen tree that grows up to 75 m tall, straight, conical to rounded in outline with numerous ascending large branches. Leaves are thin, 5 to 10 cm long in bundles of 5. They are blue-green with white bands (which are stomata) most visible on the inside, and persist on the tree for 2 to 4 years. They are straight, very finely toothed and end in a sharp point. The sheaths are about 1.5 to 2.5 cm long and are not persistent. The bark is gray-brown, furrowed, and a bit scaly. Male cones are small, yellow, up to 1.5 cm and round. Seed cones are huge, 25 to 50 cm long, cylindrical to slightly ellipsoidal. Cones are found in clusters hanging on 6 to 15 cm long stalks. They are yellow-brown and have numerous scales that are curved and smooth (i.e. without prickles). They often have splotches of resin on the tips of scales. These cones mature after 2 years in the fall, then release their seeds and fall from the tree. The tree’s resin is sugary, hence the name (FNAEC 1993).
Pinus lambertiana is the largest species in its genus, and also has the longest cones (FNAEC 1993). It is the most similar to Pinus monticola, but that is a smaller tree with smaller cones which lacks the sugary resin (Kershner et al. 2008).
Pinus lambertiana is the largest species in its genus, and also has the longest cones (FNAEC 1993). It is the most similar to Pinus monticola, but that is a smaller tree with smaller cones which lacks the sugary resin (Kershner et al. 2008).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus lambertiana is an important timber tree, but mostly because of its size, not its growing speed (FNAEC 1993). It is also more susceptible to white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), which makes it more difficult to grow in plantations. The tree also exudes a sugary resin that was used in Native American tribes as a chewing gum (Farjon 2013).
Distribution
Pinus lambertiana is common in mostly coniferous forests (Farjon 2013). It grows in lower, foggy areas as well as montane place, at an altitude of up to 3000 m. It is native to northern Baja California, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alberta, Idaho, and Montana (FNAEC 1993).
Status
Pinus lambertiana is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern". However, it is susceptible to white pine blister rust and faces some threat from ozone pollution (Farjon 2013).
References
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus lambertiana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42374A2976106.en.
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
Kershner, B., Tufts, C., Nelson, G., Spellenberg, R., Purinton, T., Block, R., Moore, G., and Thieret, J. W. 2008. National Wildlife Federation: Field Guide to Trees of North America. New York: Sterling Publishing Company.
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
Kershner, B., Tufts, C., Nelson, G., Spellenberg, R., Purinton, T., Block, R., Moore, G., and Thieret, J. W. 2008. National Wildlife Federation: Field Guide to Trees of North America. New York: Sterling Publishing Company.
Description
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