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How do we tell one from another?
What became evident to many botanists, like John Muir, is that the coniferous trees of the Sierra grow in apparent bands or belts along the face of the mountains, largely at specific altitudes. This knowledge alone is a valuable key to unlocking the great mystery of which Sierra tree is which; but it isn't always foolproof. Some trees, and their general belt zones, overlap and two or more similar coniferous tree species can, and often do, grow in the same locality. To make matters worse, several conifers are very similar in appearance, and also can be found in common where their zones overlap. Just one such tree is the Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi). I call it (Pinus hardtoidentifyi).
Jeffrey pines grow from 60 to 180 feet in height. They are generally found from 5000-7000 feet on the western slope of the Sierra, however, this species seems to predominate on the drier eastern slopes. The needles form in bunches of three and are from 8-10 inches long. The tree is from 4 to seven feet in diameter and the bark is furrowed, forming reddish plates. The cones of the Jeffrey pine are 6 to 8 inches long and about 5 inches around. Unfortunately, the Yellow Pine (Pinus ponderosa), also known as the Ponderosa Pine, is also from approximately 60-200 feet in height, the needles form in bunches of three and are 5-10 inches long and, guess what, the bark is furrowed. So, how does one tell these two great trees apart? The answer is... where they grow together, sometimes you don't.
The first clue starts with John Muir. The Yellow, or Ponderosa pine prefers a relatively moist habitat, in locations with a minimum of 25 inches of rain per year. Where moisture reaches this level, usually in the lower elevations of the Sierra, Ponderosa pines dominate. Jeffrey pines, on the other hand, survive well on xeric
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