Jeff  BISBEE  GALLERY

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Pinus lagunae

Sierra Laguna, Baja California, Mexico

Habitat The first photos are from the lower slopes of Sierra Laguna. Here are some Oaks. Quercus devia, also endemic to the Cape area. Quercus peninsularis was in the area as well as a few Populus brandegeei. The Oaks and Madrone appeared at 5,000 feet. The Pinyons began at 5400 feet. The Oaks and Madrone are also in the Sierra La Giganta, a range just to the North of Sierra Laguna that reaches 5,600 feet, but no Pinyons are in that range.

Trees

The trees can still be seen along the upper ridge-top.

Trunk Many of the trees were not extra large, but some such as the one in these photos were super large for a Pinyon Pine. Some trees had dividing trunks, like typical Pinyon Pines, while others like this one had large straight trunks. This trunk was about 32 inches across.

Seedlings The primary leaves on this seedling are much thinner than the Pinus cembroides seedlings from Chihuahua.

Foliage A high percentage of the needles where in bundles of 2. They are thinner than Pinus cembroides needles and longer, almost looking like White Pine needles.

Cones Very few green cones (October), and most seem to not be fully developed. The local people said that the nuts are available in November. Perry says in his book the cones mature in late August-early September. The cone scales are very thin and flexible.

Photos : © Jeff Bisbee