An important commercial timber species in North America, yet has proven unproductive in Europe. First documented by Lewis and Clark in 1804, and described by plant-hunter David Douglas in 1826.

Native range is central and western North America, extending from British Columbia to Mexico (with several subspecies across this vast range).

Monoecious. Male cones in clusters of 5-30. Female cones take two years to mature, 2-3cm in the first year and up to 9cm in the second. Large seed wings aid wind dispersal, and small mammals hoard the seeds in winter, further spreading them. Mature trees resist wildfire fairly well, and seedlings regenerate quickly after disturbance.

Tall (40m) with a slender crown. Bark dark grey-brown with vertical fissures and a distinctive turpentine odour. Buds red-brown, often resinous. Needles in threes, stiff, dark green, 15-25cm. Cones 15cm, each scale with a tiny backward prickle. Jeffrey Pine differs: it grows higher and drier, with larger, smoother-scaled cones and sweet-smelling bark.

A light-demanding species, only tolerating partial shade when young. Mature trees will first lose needles on a branch if shaded, before shedding the entire branch.

Generally, low associated biodiversity value, even in its native range.

Less prone to attack by bark beetles than some pine species.

Once harvested for turpentine. In Europe, destined to remain an ornamental species.