Cones may remain closed on the tree for many years. Usually grow at 2600-4500 ft. Cone scales are thin and often curve up on the end. Occurs in southern British Columbia, the northwestern states, and the Sierra Nevada of California. In the northern portion of their range, the trees grow from sea level to 2500 ft.
Cone scales are thick and straight .
No small blocky patches, and no rings where whorls of branches once grew. Ranges from the mountains of southern Oregon to southern California, the Sierra Nevada, and into northern Baja, California. Usually under 50' tall and 2' in diameter. Grayish-brown with furrows and ridges. Usually found on dry, rocky ridges and peaks at 7700 to 11,500 ft.