Foxtail Pine is a high-elevation, five-needled pine found in two separate populations in California — one in the Klamath Mountains and one in the southern Sierra Nevada. It closely resembles the Bristlecone Pine in its wind-sculpted, ancient appearance and its preference for harsh, rocky, high-elevation sites. The needles are densely packed on short shoots, giving branches a distinctive foxtail-like appearance. Individual trees can live 1,000 to 2,000 years, making them among the longest-lived trees in North America.
Best time to see a Foxtail Pine
The best time to see a Foxtail Pine is June–August, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,606 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Foxtail Pine? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Foxtail Pine sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Foxtail Pine?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.