TORREY PINE PICTURES
The Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana) is native to within about a mile of the coast from Torrey Pines State Reserve (south) to Del Mar (north). Within this native range, the growth habits of these pines vary greatly, from windswept "bonsai" trees on top of sea cliffs to large trees with spreading crowns in more protected locations, especially inland. Typically, Torrey Pine woodlands are quite open (due to the limited rainfall), more of a parkland than a forest.

Some Torrey Pines have died in the past from the pine bark beetle within the native range. However, this seems to be a less disease-prone pine than most of the other pines planted in San Diego (especially the Monterey Pine), and there are many large healthy Torrey Pines planted around San Diego (probably the second or third most popular pine after the Canary Island Pine and possibly the Aleppo pine).

This is the only pine native at sea level in the southern third of California. However, the Bishop pine (despite mostly being native to the Central Coast of California) occupies a few small areas near sea level in Baja California.

The Torrey Pine is also native to a small part of Santa Rosa Island.

Torrey Pine woodlands just east of Del Mar (looking towards Rancho Santa Fe)...


Sandstone is prevalent throughout the native range of the Torrey Pine...


Windswept Torrey Pine clinging to a steep hillside...


"Bonsai" Torreys...


Typical Torrey Pine (southeast of Del Mar)...


Trunk of a large Torrey Pine...


Very large Torrey Pine in a yard in the hills of Del Mar...


All of the above pictures on this page were taken by Brandt Maxwell.