The Torrey pine is indigenous to two small areas of the world. The largest number grows on 1,000 acres of coastal hillside in San Diego county just a few miles north of Sea World. A smaller stand is found on Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Santa Barbara, California.

The Torrey pine is one of the few pines that can survive the salt air and driving dry winds experienced along the west coast.

When exposed along seaside cliffs, many of the Torrey pines grow gnarled and twisted from age-long battles against ocean wind and drought. Those hidden in ravines nearby are protected from these winds and grow much more normally.

One of nature's last living plant relics, this tree flourished in past centuries when the Southern California coast received plentiful rain, and a great forest of mixed conifers and other plants extended from the mountains to the seashore.

The Torrey pine grows large seed cones weighing a pound or more. Each cone is armed with great, stout, fiercely hooked scales. The nutritious seeds of the Torrey (one of the pinon pines) were highly prized by the indigenous Indians.

Caring For Your Pine Tree