Coulter Pine
Pinus coulteri
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- Pinus coulteri
- USDA Symbol:
- PICO3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Pandora moth (Coloradia pandora), western pine moth (Dioryctria cambiicola)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, squirrels
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick bark provides fire resistance in mature trees. Resprouts from surviving cambium after moderate fires.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Adapted to dry, mountainous regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination rates. Seeds are large and germinate readily after stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 30 to 40 days.
Establishment: P. coulteri is found in the coast range of central California south into lower California.
Source: npn.rngr.net