Jeffrey Pine

Jeffrey pine is a distinctive, drought-tolerant conifer reaching 140 feet with massive, thick bark of reddish-purple scaly plates. Native to the high mountains of interior California and extreme Oregon, it grows on exposed, rocky slopes where others cannot compete. You recognize it by its large cones (4-6 inches) and the vanilla-scented bark (especially on warm days); its massive presence and fire-resistant character make it invaluable in its native range and an occasional choice for dry Puget Sound sites.

Jeffrey pine requires full sun, well-drained soil, and low to moderate water once established. It grows slowly (40 feet in 20 years) but with remarkable persistence on dry, rocky ground where many species fail. The Puget Sound lowlands are marginal for this species; restrict use to warm, dry microsites with excellent drainage and afternoon shade in the warmest areas. Fire resistance and drought tolerance are major assets; however, limited availability and modest growth rate in our maritime climate make it a specialty choice for experienced growers.