Coulter pine
tree
Also known as: Pinus coulteri
Quick Summary
Coulter pine
Pinecone of a Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri). Known colloquially as “widow-makers,” these cones are the most massive of any pine species and can weigh up to 5 kg (11 pounds).
The Coulter pine, also known as the big-cone pine or large-cone pine, is a tall pine species native to the mountains of southern California and Baja California. This tree is distinguished by its exceptionally large cones, which can measure between 9 to 15 inches long and weigh up to 11 pounds. These cones are characterized by stout, sharp-pointed scales and are sometimes colloquially referred to as "widow-makers" due to their size and weight. The species was named after the Irish botanist Thomas Coulter.123
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