The digger pine is a native to the arid foothills of Sierra Nevada and coastal ranges of Califor-nia, at altitudes of 120 - 1200 m. It is a medium sized tree, usually of gaunt open habit, with straggly branches. It can reach 15 m in 15 years and can eventually reach 22 m. It is drought and cold tolerant and will grow on light, shallow soils. It requires an average annual rainfall of 500 - 750 mm.
Closely related to the coulter pine, it bears large cones to 25 cm long and produces regularly. The large oily seed are eaten raw or roasted. The soft centre of green cones can be roasted and eaten. The leaves are used for tea. American Indians used the roots to make baskets.
It grows readily from seed and does not need cold treatment. Other plants can grow under it as it does not produce a dense shade. It is a useful shade and shelter tree, but not a good timber species.