Pinus lambertiana aka Sugar Pine

Taxonomy

Pinus lambertiana, also known as the sugar pine or sugar cone pine, is a species of pine tree native to coastal and inland mountain areas along the Pacific coast of North America. It is the tallest and most massive pine tree, with the longest cones of any conifer. The species name lambertiana was given in honor of the English botanist, Aylmer Bourke Lambert, by the Scottish botanist David Douglas. The sugar pine can grow up to 40-60 meters tall, exceptionally up to 82 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of 1.5-2.5 meters, exceptionally 3.5 meters. The tallest recorded specimen is 83.45 meters tall and is located in Yosemite National Park. The sugar pine occurs in the mountains of Oregon and California in the western United States, and Baja California in northwestern Mexico. It belongs to the Pinus genus and is rare as a houseplant, requiring regular watering and long-lasting, direct light. It prefers soil that is well-draining and doesn't need added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Sugar Pine, Sugar Cone Pine

How to care for Sugar Pine

Difficulty

Caring for Sugar Pine is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Sugar Pine should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Sugar Pine loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Sugar Pine requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Sugar Cone Pine is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

The Sugar Pine is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Region of origin

Sugar Pine’s native range is South-western N. America - California to Oregon.


More info:
Wikipedia