The name of the tree is derived from the sweet resinous substance that is found within the bark and wood.
Sugar pine holds an important place in the history of California.
In addition to being the very tallest of the pines, sugar pine is one of longer lived of the pines. Overall, the needles appear short and stiff and give the sugar pine the appearance of having furry arms when looked at from a distance. Bark is resistent to low and moderate intensity fires. Becasue the cones hang on the ends of the long and sweeping branches, it is almost impossible for large seed eating birds to make a meal of the seeds. Sugar pine is monoecious.