While looking for reptiles and amphibians in the Golden State, I came across a small stand of these fine trees. This stately pine starts as an upright tree with a pyramidal shape; with age, it will develop a broad rounded crown that flattens at the top. When growing on a windy site with ocean influence, it develops a picturesque spreading growth habit that is asymmetrical and often with multiple trunks.
Under ideal conditions, it can grow to a height of over 100 feet with a branch spread of over 60 feet and a trunk diameter of over 4 feet. Again, under ideal conditions – and if it escapes a lethal attack from insects and diseases – it can live up to 150 years; however, its normal life span here is relatively short for a conifer, only 80 to 100 years.
Its needles are one of its most distinguishing features. The needles (3- to 6-inches long) occur at the ends of branches in dense clusters of 3 needles per cluster. These clusters persist on the tree for up to 3 years, before turning brown and dropping off. The needles also have a distinctive fresh fragrance when brushed or crushed.
This pine is adapted to cope with stand-killing fire disturbances. Its cones are serotinous, that is, they remain closed until opened by the heat of a forest fire; the abundant seeds are then discharged to regenerate on the burned forest floor. The cones may also burst open in hot weather.
The bark is thick and rather rough, with deep vertical fissures. It is a light gray brown when young; as it ages, it turns dark gray to black, with reddish brown within the fissures.
Although Monterey Pine is extensively cultivated around the world for lumber, the version of the tree used in the lumber industry is vastly different from the native tree. In its natural state, Monterey Pine is a rare and endangered tree; it is twisted, knotty and full of sap/resin and not suitable for lumber.