# Jeffrey pine (*Pinus jeffreyi*) The Jeffrey pine is a tall tree with long needles and sweet-smelling cones. It grows in the mountains and is known for its beautiful shape and strong wood. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Jeffrey pine](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mature_Jeffrey_Pine.JPG&width=800) Photo: Jhodlof, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mature_Jeffrey_Pine.JPG) ## Appearance The Jeffrey pine is a very tall conifer with a straight, reddish-brown trunk that has deep, irregular furrows. It has long, blue-green needles in bundles of three and large, woody cones with sharp, inward-pointing prickles. Its bark can have a distinctive vanilla-like scent. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Pinaceae - **Genus:** Pinus ## Interesting facts - Its bark and sap often smell like vanilla or butterscotch, especially on sunny days! - Jeffrey pine cones are sometimes called 'porcupine cones' for their sharp, spiny scales! - Look closely: Jeffrey pines usually have long, blue-green needles grouped together in bundles of three! - This mighty tree can live to be over 500 years old, witnessing centuries of forest history! ## Special abilities - **Fire Survivor:** Jeffrey pine has thick, protective bark that helps it survive moderate forest fires by shielding its vital tissues. - **Drought Master:** Jeffrey pine can grow a deep taproot to reach water far underground, helping it thrive in dry, rocky mountain habitats. - **Scented Defense:** Jeffrey pine has resin with a unique chemical makeup that gives off a vanilla-like scent, potentially deterring some pests. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 4000-7000 cm - **Spread:** 900-1500 cm - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Western Pine Beetle (*Dendroctonus brevicomis*) — Its larvae burrow under the bark - **Shelter:** [Western Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus griseus*) — Builds nests and caches food in its branches ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Coniferous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coniferous): Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Stay on paths and don't climb trees without an adult's help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Jeffrey pine? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Jeffrey pine? 4000-7000 cm ### How wide does Jeffrey pine spread? 900-1500 cm ### Is Jeffrey pine edible? No ### Is Jeffrey pine toxic? Mild ### What is Jeffrey pine's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is Jeffrey pine pollinated? Wind ### Where is Jeffrey pine usually found? Mountain regions ## Where to spot - [Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-tahoe-basin-management-unit) — Nevada, US · Forest - [Nobles Emigrant Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nobles-emigrant-trail) — California, US · Trail - [Shady Rest Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shady-rest-park) — California, US · Park [View all places to see Jeffrey pine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/jeffrey-pine) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Jeffrey pine: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jeffrey-pine)