20 Interesting Facts about The Bishop Pine Tree
Did you know the Bishop Pine tree is a rare tree dependent on fire? Native to the coastal regions of California, this tree has some interesting characteristics. From tiny seeds and cones to a unique growth cycle, here are 20 interesting facts about the Bishop Pine Tree.
1. The Bishop Pine Tree is Fire-Dependent
We often discuss the destructive nature of forest fires, but we rarely realize that some trees, like Bishop Pine, depend on fire for their growth and reproduction. These are serotinous cones, meaning that they have a resin that seals the cones shut until the heat from a fire melts the resin and allows the seeds to be released. The trees create serotinous cones yearly, but the resin seals them shut until a fire arrives. The seeds can remain unharmed inside for 3 to 50 years or more before the fire releases them.
2. It Is Native To The Coastal Regions of California
The Bishop Pine tree is native to the coastal regions of California. Most are found between sea level and about 400 yards from the coast of Humboldt to Santa Barbara counties. It only grows where the ocean is visible, and it’s commonly found in foggy areas because it needs moisture.
These pine trees are an essential part of the coastal ecosystem and help to prevent erosion. It helps to protect against flooding and provides food and shelter for many animals. There are also Bishop Pine forests on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands along Central Bridge’s isolated area.
3. It Is a Rare Tree
Bishop Pines are rare because they only grow in specific conditions near the coast of California. It’s a fast-growing pine, which is how it can survive in such a harsh environment. However, many eco-scientists consider the Bishop Pine an endangered species because of these conditions.
It’s currently listed as a G2 species, meaning the restricted range and habitat loss are threatened globally. The USDA is investigating the direct cause and how to prevent the loss of this unique tree.
4. It Is a Coniferous Tree
The Bishop Pine tree is a coniferous tree, which means it has cones and evergreen needles. There are two types of needles on the tree, long and short. Its needles are 2.5 to 5 centimeters long and grow in pairs. The cones are 1 to 2 inches long and brown or reddish-brown.
It differs from other coniferous trees because it has deciduous scales, meaning the cones fall off the tree when they mature. But like other fire-dependent trees, the cones won’t release their seeds until there is a fire.
5. The Tree Can Grow Up To 80 Feet Tall
While most Bishop Pine trees only grow to be about 40 feet tall, some can reach up to 80 feet in height. The short size is because of the poor growing conditions near the coast. The tree does best in deep, well-drained soils high in organic matter.
They are slender trees with narrow crowns, and their branches often grow at irregular angles. The shoots are reddish brown, and the leaves are dark green. The bark is thin and scaly, and the branches are flexible, which allows them to bend in heavy winds without breaking. Compared to other pines, the Bishop pine is shorter. For example, the Monterey pine can grow up to 100 feet tall and 16 feet wide.
6. Its Lifespan Depends on Fire
Bishop Pine trees can live for hundreds of years, but their lifespan depends on the frequency of fires. If there are no fires, the trees will eventually die because the serotinous cones won’t be able to open and release the seeds. The seeds need bare ground to germinate, which they get after a fire clears out the area.
The Bishop pine differs from other long-lived trees because it doesn’t have a defined life expectancy. It can live for hundreds of years as long as there are fires every few decades to release the seeds. The trees also need fires to thin out the competition and give them more room to grow. Without fire, the Bishop Pine forests would become overcrowded, and the trees would be more susceptible to diseases and pests.
7. It’s an Important Source of Food for Animals
The Bishop Pine tree is an essential source of food for many animals. Birds, squirrels, and chipmunks eat the cones. These animals help to spread the seeds and grow new trees. This process is called seed dispersal, and it’s essential for the species’ survival. The needles are also an important food source for deer, elk, and rabbits. These animals help to keep the forest floor clear of debris, which allows sunlight to reach the seedlings.
8. Bishop Pines Grow in a Unique Soil
The soil where Bishop pine grows is unique. It’s called granitic quartz-diorite and is found only in California. This soil is high in minerals, which helps the tree to thrive. The quartz-diorite is also very acidic, which helps prevent competing plants’ growth.
Other pines grow in similar soils, but Bishop Pine is the only tree that can tolerate the high acidity. For example, the Ponderosa Pine grows in similar soils but can’t tolerate the high acidity and only grows at lower elevations.
9. The Tree Gets Its Name From its Location
The Bishop Pine was discovered near Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, hence its name. Others suggest the name comes from the tree’s symmetrical shape, similar to a bishop’s miter. Different sources also point to the shape of the seeds, which resemble a bishop’s crozier or staff.
10. It Was Used For Building Ships
Bishop Pine was once used for building ships because of its flexibility and strength. The wood is resistant to rot, so they used it for the hulls of boats. Other parts it was used for include masts, spars, and oars because it’s lightweight and easy to work with. The resin from the tree was also used to waterproof the ships. Current uses for the Bishop tree’s wood are limited because of its current status.
11. Some People Are Allergic to the Tree
Although not everyone is allergic to Bishop pine, some people may have an adverse reaction. The tree’s pollen, released from the cones, contains allergens. The pollen can cause hay fever and other respiratory problems in people allergic to it.
For this reason, it’s not a suitable source of anything edible for humans. The same goes for sawdust cutting the tree, which can cause skin irritation. The Bishop pine isn’t the only tree that causes allergies; other common offenders include oak, cedar, and cypress.
12. Cones Take Two Years to Mature
Two years is how long the cones of the Bishop Pine tree take to mature. The outer layer of the cone dries out and hardens, while the inner layer remains soft and green. They then release the seeds when the fire heats the cone, which starts the regeneration process.
This natural cycle can take decades to complete. Compared to other pines, the Bishop Pine has a slow growth rate. For example, the Douglas fir can grow up to 2.5 feet per year and live for up to 500 years.
13. The Oldest Living Tree is a Bishop Pine
The oldest living Bishop Pine tree is 71 years old and is in the Tomales Bay State Park near San Francisco. The state park is popular with hikers and covers about 2,000 acres, making it one of the smaller state parks in California. Remember, you can look, but don’t touch. The state park in San Francisco is home to many animal and plant species that are protected by law, including wood rats, foxes, badgers, and deer.
14. It has Several Nicknames
Bishop Pine has several nicknames, including Obispo, Umbrella tree, Bull pine, and Dwarf maritime pine, and in older textbooks, scientists refer to it as Obispo because it was found near the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. It gets the nickname Bull pine from its thick, burly bark. The tree is also called an umbrella tree because it’s often used as a shade tree in California. Dwarf maritime or marine pine is another name for Bishop Pine, and it’s used because they found the tree near the coast and can tolerate salty air.
15. The Cones Are Small
At only 1.5 inches long, the cones of Bishop Pine are small. The cones are also rounded, unlike other pinecones, which are more oblong. The pollen cones are just as small, measuring only 0.2 inches long.
You can find old cones enveloped by the fresh growth of new branches. In comparison, the cones of Loblolly pine are up to four times the size of Bishop Pine cones. The only thing smaller than the cones is the seeds, which are only 0.04 inches long. To compare, seeds from an apple are about 0.16 inches, so the Bishop Pine seeds are tiny!
16. The Needs Curve Upward
The leaves of a pine tree are the needles. The Bishop Pine’s needles arch upwards, allowing the tree to withstand strong winds. Its needles are also hard and sharp, allowing the tree to resist browsing animals by keeping them away from the foliage. The needles are dark green and measure 2-3 inches long. The needles are sturdy and pointy. Other pines have softer needles that are more flexible.
17. It’s in the USDA Zone 8
The Bishop Pine tree is in the USDA Zone 8, which means it has the warmest temperatures and longest growing season, which helps the pine grow despite the constant spray from the ocean. Many other pine varieties can’t tolerate harsh conditions and don’t do well here. However, the Bishop thrives in these conditions. For example, it’s often seen as a windbreak along coastal highways in Mendocino County.
18. It’s a Pinus Muricata
Bishop Pine is a Pinus muricata, which is in the family Pinaceae. There are 110 species in this family, including the pine, fir, and spruce trees. The Bishop tree is one of 18 species in the Pinus genus.
Other Pinus species include Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine) and Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine). The difference between these species is the number of needles per fascicle or cluster. Bishop Pine has two needles per fascicle, lodgepole pine has three, and ponderosa pine has five.
19. The Tree the Dominant Species in its Community
In its natural habitat, Bishop Pine is the dominant species in the community. Very few pine trees can survive the harsh conditions of the coast, so Bishop Pine can thrive. The tree is also resistant to salt spray, which helps it to survive in coastal areas.
Nearby species include the Madrone, Tanoak, and Coast Live Oak. These trees provide shelter and shade for the Bishop pine. What’s unique about the Bishop pine compared to other pines is that it can survive in direct sunlight. Most pines need at least some shade, but the Bishop pine does not, which is another reason it thrives on the coast.
20. It Was Discovered in 1835
Bishop Pine was discovered in 1835 by David Don, a Scottish Botanist responsible for several discoveries, such as the different conifers in California. His father was a curator at the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh and Don was later a professor at the famed King’s College in London following his discoveries in America.
