Pine Tree ID
Posted by Doc Milligan on May 11, 2007
Q: I have found a Pine tree I can not ID, your feild guide and others were no help.
@ 3500 foot North west of Tahoe ( Cailfornia )
Bark is unusual, smooth cinimon red, with a puzzel pattern, is thin and seperate to look like puzzel pieces. No unusual smell. The needles are in groups of three about 9" at the longest. Cones are open 3 1/2- 4 1/2".
Grow's to a height of about 100 feet and has a flat top, circumference 4-5 feet or better.
I could send pictures if that would help.
Thanks
Doc Milligan
State: California
Habitat: forest/open woods
A: I looked carefully at my tree books and can't figure out any other tree than Ponderosa Pine - it all seems to fit. You did mention that it didn't have an unusual smell so not sure what you mean but try smelling the bark on a warm, sunny day - should smell like vanilla.
Needle size and number, cone size, bark color and pattern all fit Ponderosa and the location is right too. So...hope this helps you out.
John Wiessinger ( May 14, 2007)