Pinus balfouriana
fox-tail pine
A slow growing pine, able to reach 22m (73ft) when mature, with an upright to leaning trunk, up to 2.6m (9ft) in diameter, bearing pinkish-brown, strongly fissured bark and a broadly conical canopy, often with contorted branches. The trees are capable of reaching a very great age in habitat. The evergreen, deep, blue-green needles are produced in groups of five and are up to 4cm (1½in) long. They are strongly persistent and can live up to 30 years before being shed. The purple to red-brown, oval to cylindrical cones, take two years to mature and are soon shed after dispersing their seeds.
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Green | Purple Red Brown | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Green | Purple Red Brown | ||
| Autumn | Blue Green | Purple Red Brown | ||
| Winter | Blue Green | Purple Red Brown |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Pinus can be shrubs or large, evergreen trees, some species with attractive bark, developing an irregular outline with age and bearing long needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5; conspicuous cones may fall or remain on the tree for years
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA (California)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, preferably neutral to acidic soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed, by semi-ripe cuttings, by hardwood cuttings, or by grafting, see: trees and shrubs from seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to adelgids, conifer aphid, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moth
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases
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