Jeffrey Pine

Pinus jeffreyi (Pinaceae) is a large three-needled pine native to the mountains of Oregon, California, and western Nevada. It reaches 140 feet tall with thick, reddish-brown bark arranged in large plates. The bark and resin emit a distinctive vanilla or pineapple scent, which reliably distinguishes it from the similar-looking ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa).

Jeffrey pine grows in full sun on well-drained, often nutrient-poor soils, showing a particular affinity for serpentine and other unusual substrates. It is drought tolerant once established. The species is typically found at higher elevations than ponderosa pine in areas where their ranges overlap. Hardy in Zones 6a to 8b.