Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Pinus jeffreyi Balf.
Common name(s):	Jeffrey pine

This weed is not known to be naturalised in Victoria

Habitat:

Can occupy many sites from the edges of moist, high mountain meadows to arid slopes bordering deserts, and it will grow over a wide range of elevations. Also grows in a diverse range of climatic conditions. Grows well on harsh and infertile sites. Tolerant of drought, adapts to cold weather because it requires a shorter growing season. Grows on a wide variety of well drained soils, mostly shallow and fine, fine loamy, and clay-textured gravely surface soils. Also on volcanic soils with coarse soil texture, & gravely sand loams or loamy coarse sands (USDA 2006). Primarily occupies sites from 150- 2,900 m. Grows in areas experiencing temperatures as low as -13ºC and have snow fall. “Without fire or other disturbances that create gaps in the canopy, Jeffrey pine is often replaced by more shade-tolerant conifers such as white fir (Abies concolor)… Is shade intolerant” (Gucker 2007).

Potential distribution

Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries

Map Overlays Used

Land Use:
Forestry; horticulture perennial; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; wet forest; high altitude shrubland/woodland; alpine treeless; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; western plains woodland; alluvial plains grassland; semi-arid woodland; alluvial plains woodland; ironbark/box; chenopod shrubland; chenopod mallee; hummockgrass mallee; lowan mallee

Colours indicate possibility of Pinus jeffreyi infesting these areas.

In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable.

map showing the potential distribution of pinus jeffreyi

Red= Very high	Orange = Medium
Yellow = High	Green = Likely

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	“The Jeffrey pine may live 400 to 500 years and can attain immense size. It typically grows to 4 to 6 feet in diameter, and 170 to 200 feet in height” (USDA 2006). Major impediment to machinery. Significant works required to provide reasonable access, tracks closed or impassable.	H	ML
2. Reduce tourism?	“The Jeffrey pine may live 400 to 500 years and can attain immense size. It typically grows to 4 to 6 feet in diameter, and 170 to 200 feet in height” (USDA 2006). The size of this tree would make this species very noticeable to visitors, but pines are often kept for their heritage value and hence would not be a problem aesthetically; but could affect some recreational uses.	MH	ML
3. Injurious to people?	The Jeffrey pine needles are 7 to 11 inches long. Its’ seeds are both disseminated and eaten by insects, birds, and small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, and tree squirrels (USDA 2006). Changes in stand structure that were considered barriers to Jeffery pine and ponderosa pine recruitment were thought to be a result of fire exclusion and heavy grazing (Gucker 2007). The needles may have a point to them that could cause minor rashes but is unlikely to be poisonous as the seeds are eaten and the plants grazed upon.	ML	ML
4. Damage to cultural sites?	Taproot penetrates deeply, and lateral roots are considered “strong” and “extensive”. Jeffrey pine roots up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter were found in a soil pit 100 feet (30 m) from the nearest tree (Gucker 2007). Potential to cause major structural damage to site, and/or obliteration of the heritage/ cultural feature.	H	ML
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	Can occupy many sites from the edges of moist, high mountain meadows to arid slopes bordering deserts. Grows well on harsh and infertile sites. Tolerant of drought. Grows on a wide variety of well drained soils, mostly shallow and fine, fine loamy, and clay-textured gravely surface soils. Also on volcanic soils with coarse soil texture, & gravely sand loams or loamy coarse sands (USDA 2006). Not known to be aquatic, negligible affect on water flow.	L	M
6. Impact water quality?	Can occupy many sites from the edges of moist, high mountain meadows to arid slopes bordering deserts. Grows well on harsh and infertile sites. Tolerant of drought. Grows on a wide variety of well drained soils, mostly shallow and fine, fine loamy, and clay-textured gravely surface soils. Also on volcanic soils with coarse soil texture, & gravely sand loams or loamy coarse sands (USDA 2006). Not known to be aquatic, negligible affect on water flow.	L	M
7. Increase soil erosion?	“Jeffrey pine's dominance is dependent on recurrent fire. Without fire or other disturbances that create gaps in the canopy, Jeffrey pine is often replaced… Cover increased with time since clear-cut logging” May naturally colonise mine spoils… Changes in stand structure that were considered barriers to Jeffery pine and ponderosa pine recruitment were thought to be a result of fire exclusion and heavy grazing…Most Jeffrey pine seedlings and saplings occurred in dry, open areas with high light levels (Gucker 2007). As Pinus jeffreyi establishes in open areas that may have been logged or mined, there is a probability that it will reduce the occurrence of large scale soil erosion.	L	ML
8. Reduce biomass?	“Without fire or other disturbances that create gaps in the canopy, Jeffrey pine is often replaced… Cover increased with time since clear cut logging” May naturally colonise mine spoils… Most Jeffrey pine seedlings and saplings occurred in dry, open areas with high light levels (Gucker 2007). As this species establishes in an open area and gradually becomes denser, biomass may increase.	L	ML
9. Change fire regime?	“Pure n-heptane is distilled from Jeffrey Pine resin… Jeffrey Pine resin cannot be used to make turpentine, as nheptane is explosive when ignited” (USDA 2006). In some areas, fires burned an average of every 11 years in Jeffrey pine habitats…Jeffrey pine forests have experienced fire severities ranging from low-severity surface fires to sever stand-replacing surface and crown fires…Jeffrey pine needles dry rapidly, ignite easily, and support fire spread (Gucker 2007). Could greatly change the frequency and intensity of fire risk.	H	ML
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Plains Grassy Woodland (E); CMA = Glenelg Hopkins; Bioregion =Dundas Tablelands; L CLIMATE potential. Jeffrey pines numerous types of forests e.g. Jeffrey pine/ Idaho fescue; Jeffrey pine/curllaf mountain-mahogany. Most Jeffrey pine seedlings and saplings occurred in dry, open areas with high light levels (Gucker 2007). As this species establishes in open areas and becomes part of a forest, it has the potential to have a major effect on all layers.	H	M
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Box Ironbark Forest (D); CMA =North Central; Bioregion =Goldfields; L CLIMATE potential. Jeffrey pines numerous types of forests e.g. Jeffrey pine/ Idaho fescue; Jeffrey pine/curllaf mountain-mahogany. Most Jeffrey pine seedlings and saplings occurred in dry, open areas with high light levels (Gucker 2007). As this species establishes in open areas and becomes part of a forest, it has the potential to have a major effect on all layers.	H	M
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Lowland Forest (LC); CMA = Glenelg Hopkins; Bioregion =Victorian Volcanic Plain; L CLIMATE potential. Jeffrey pines numerous types of forests e.g. Jeffrey pine/ Idaho fescue; Jeffrey pine/curllaf mountain-mahogany. Most Jeffrey pine seedlings and saplings occurred in dry, open areas with high light levels (Gucker 2007). Also on volcanic soils with coarse soil texture, & gravely sand loams or loamy coarse sands (USDA 2006). As this species establishes in open areas and becomes part of a forest, it has the potential to have a major effect on all layers.	H	M
11. Impact on structure?	Jeffrey pines numerous types of forests e.g. Jeffrey pine/ Idaho fescue; Jeffrey pine/curllaf mountain-mahogany. Most Jeffrey pine seedlings and saplings occurred in dry, open areas with high light levels (Gucker 2007). As this species establishes in open areas and becomes part of a forest, it has the potential to have a major effect on all layers.	H	ML
12. Effect on threatened flora?	No information was found in relation to VROT species.	MH	L
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	No information was found in relation to threatened fauna.	MH	L
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	No information found.	M	L
15. Benefits fauna?	Wildlife uses: The Jeffrey pine forests provide wildlife cover for birds, small mammals and big game. Its’ seeds are both disseminated and eaten by insects, birds, and small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, and tree squirrels (USDA 2006). Could provide some assistance in either food or shelter to desirable species.	MH	ML
16. Injurious to fauna?	Wildlife uses: The Jeffrey pine forests provide wildlife cover for birds, small mammals and big game. Its’ seeds are both disseminated and eaten by insects, birds, and small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, and tree squirrels (USDA 2006). Changes in stand structure that were considered barriers to Jeffery pine and ponderosa pine recruitment were thought to be a result of fire exclusion and heavy grazing (Gucker 2007). Not described as being injurious to fauna and is unlikely to be poisonous.	L	ML
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	Its’ seeds are both disseminated and eaten by insects, birds, and small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, and tree squirrels (USDA 2006). American black bears, a variety of small mammals, many bird species, as well as insects, amphibians, and reptiles utilize Jeffrey pine habitats and/or feed on Jeffrey pine seedlings or seeds (Gucker 2007). Could supply food for one or more minor peat spp. (e.g. blackbirds or environmental insect pests).	ML	ML
18. Provides harbour?	Wildlife uses: The Jeffrey pine forests provide wildlife cover for birds, small mammals and big game (USDA 2006). Could provide harbour for rabbits or foxes at low densities or as overnight cover.	MH	L
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	Jeffrey pine may host: Pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is hosted on pines, Douglas fir, spruce, larch and fir. It “has caused very sever losses in pine forests of Japan and China with >2 million cubic metres of wood lost per year in USA”. Western Gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii) is restricted to being hosted on pines. “Severe infection causes death of seedlings, shoot death and stem malformation in older trees that can cause stem breakage”. (Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia, 2001). Serious impact on quantity.	H	M
20. Impact quality?	Jeffrey pine may host: Dry wood longicorn beetle (Stromatium barbatum) is hosted on “350 species of seasoned hardwood and softwood timber and plywood including eucalyptus, pine, elm and oak. Unlike Australian longicorns, dry wood longicorn only attacks seasoned timber…Most often detected in packing material, dunnage, furniture and sporting goods such as cricket bats and stumps…Potentially of great economic importance in Australia because if its large host range and preference for seasoned timber” See photo of damaged cricket bat (Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia, 2001). Serious impacts on quality, produce rejected for sale or export.	H	ML
21. Affect land value?	Jeffrey pine may host: Pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is hosted on pines, Douglas fir, spruce, larch and fir. It “has caused very sever losses in pine forests of Japan and China with >2 million cubic metres of wood lost per year in USA”. Western Gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii) is restricted to being hosted on pines. “Severe infection causes death of seedlings, shoot death and stem malformation in older trees that can cause stem breakage”. (Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia, 2001). If land is wanted for growing timber on, the land value may decrease significantly >10%.	H	ML
22. Change land use?	Jeffrey pine may host: Pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) [which] is hosted on pines, Douglas fir, spruce, larch and fir. It “has caused very sever losses in pine forests of Japan and China with >2 million cubic metres of wood lost per year in USA”. Western Gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii) is restricted to being hosted on pines. “Severe infection causes death of seedlings, shoot death and stem malformation in older trees that can cause stem breakage”. (Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia, 2001). Could be a major detrimental change and significant loss for agricultural usage (e.g. complete change to different agricultural use e.g. farm forestry.)	H	ML
23. Increase harvest costs?	Not enough information.	M	L
24. Disease host/vector?	Pinus genus hosts mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) with a potential impact being a “population build up in freshly fallen or weakened trees but will [also] vigorously attack and kill growing trees when populations are in large numbers. Blue stain fungi and risk of increased timber decay associated with beetle introduction”. Asian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is hosted on “600 plant species including oak, birch, willow, elm, eucalyptus, pine, fruit trees and urban ornamental plants…[Could] cause significant damage to forest, horticultural and urban trees. Of the several biotypes known, the Asian biotype is the most damaging, but all are a risk to Australia”. Pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is hosted on pines, Douglas fir, spruce, larch and fir. It “has caused very sever losses in pine forests of Japan and China with >2 million cubic metres of wood lost per year in USA”. Black stain root disease (Ophiostoma wageneri) is hosted on Douglas fir, hemlock, pine, spruce and fir. It “hinders water conduction, causes vascular with and mortality in Douglas fir and pines”. Pine pitch canker (Fusarium circinatum) is hosted on species of Pinus and Pseudotsuga and “has caused sever damage in native stands and plantations of Pinus radiata in California and could pose a significant economic threat to the Pinus and Pseudotsuga plantations in Australia”. Western Gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii) is restricted to being hosted on pines. “Severe infection causes death of seedlings, shoot death and stem malformation in older trees that can cause stem breakage”. (Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia, 2001).	M	L

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	Germinates readily in the spring, and while stratification may not be necessary it can decrease the time required for successful germination, The best germination is said to occur in mineral soils in full sun conditions (Gucker 2007). Requires natural seasonal disturbances such as seasonal rainfall, spring/summer temperatures for germination.	MH	M
2. Establishment requirements?	Most seedlings grow in forest floor litter (Gucker 2007). Can establish under moderate litter cover.	MH	M
3. How much disturbance is required?	“Jeffrey pine's dominance is dependent on recurrent fire. Without fire or other disturbances that create gaps in the canopy, Jeffrey pine is often replaced by more shade-tolerant conifers such as white fir (Abies concolor)… Is shade intolerant…Cover increased with time since clearcut logging” May naturally colonise mine spoils. Changes in stand structure that were considered barriers to Jeffery pine and ponderosa pine recruitment were thought to be a result of fire exclusion and heavy grazing (Gucker 2007). Major disturbance required with little or no competition from other plant species.	L	M
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Tree (Gucker 2007). Other.	L	M
5. Allelopathic properties?	No information found.	M	L
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	Increased seedling survival under antelope bitterbrush was likely due to decreased temperature, lower moisture stress, and herbivory protection…Changes in stand structure that were considered barriers to Jeffery pine recruitment were thought to be a result of fire exclusion and heavy grazing…Mortality was primarily a result of sever drought conditions and bark beetle attacks in Southern California… “Single seedlings survived at a significantly higher rate than clumped seedlings (P<0.05), and herbivore browsing was more common on clumped than single seedlings (P<0.05) (Gucker 2007). Its’ seeds are both disseminated and eaten by insects, birds, and small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, and tree squirrels (USDA 2006). Unknown how many species in Australia will consume Pinus jeffreyi but could be consumed but non-preferred; still capable of flowering/ seed production under moderate herbivory pressure (where moderate= normal; not overstocking or heavy grazing).	MH	ML
7. Normal growth rate?	Foresters in Australia have found it a rather slower growing tree (Lindsay & Lane-Poole 1932). “Slow-growing, long-lived” (Gucker 2007). Slow growth; will be exceeded by many other species.	L	M
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	“Jeffrey pine's dominance is dependent on recurrent fire. Without fire or other disturbances that create gaps in the canopy, Jeffrey pine is often replaced by more shade-tolerant conifers such as white fir (Abies concolor)” Primarily occupies sites from 150-2,900 m. Grows in areas that experience temperatures as low as -13ºC and have snow fall… “Considered more drought and cold tolerant than ponderosa pine” Is considered moderately fire resistant as a sapling and highly resistant as an adult (Gucker 2007). Grows on a wide variety of well drained soils (USDA 2006). Highly resistant of fire and frost, tolerant of drought but possibly susceptible to water-logging as it prefers well drained soils.	MH	ML
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	“Jeffrey pine reproduces sexually through seed production and germination. Trees do not sprout after the loss of aboveground stems… Cones are wind pollinated… Does not sprout from adventitious buds or spread through vegetative means” (Gucker 2007). Unknown if this species self-pollinates. More information needed.	M	L
10. Number of propagules produced?	“Cone crop production ranged from 175 to less than 25 cones/tree over a 3 year period… the number of fertile seeds /cone before seed dispersal averaged 222 and ranged from 160 to 338” (Gucker 2007). At the lowest estimate 25 cones producing 160 seeds each=4000 in one season, which is greater than 2,000 seeds.	H	M
11. Propagule longevity?	“Seed stored of 8.5 years averaged 67% when stratified at same temperature” (Gucker 2007). May indicate that greater than 25% of seeds survive 5-10 year in the soil.	ML	ML
12. Reproductive period?	“The oldest Jeffrey pine tree was an estimated 631 years old…Trees as young as 8 years old have produced cones” (Gucker 2007). 631 yrs – 8yrs= 623 years. Mature plant could produce propagules for 10 years or more.	H	M
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	“Trees as young as 8 years old have produced cones” (Gucker 2007). Greater than 5 years to reach sexual maturity.	L	M
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	Its’ seeds are both disseminated and eaten by insects, birds, and small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, and tree squirrels (USDA 2006). Likely to be bird dispersed seeds and has edible fruit that is readily eaten by highly mobile animals.	H	ML
15. How far do they disperse?	“Seeds typically fall only about 100 feet from the parent tree, although fall storms with high winds may carry seeds up to ½ mile away” (804.7 m) (USDA 2006). Very few to none will disperse to one kilometre, most 20-200 metres.	ML	M

References

Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia (2001) Forests and Timber: A Field Guide to Exotic Pests and Diseases. Australian Quarantine and
Inspection Service, the National Office of Animal and Plant Health, and the Ministerial Council on Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture - Standing Committee on Forestry, Canberra.

Gucker, Corey L. (2007) Pinus Jeffreyi In : Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pinjef/all.html (verified 15/06/2009).

Lindsay A.D. & Lane-Poole C.E. (1932) Jeffrey Pine (Pinus Jeffreyi “Oreg. Com.”). Leaflet No. 7. Commonwealth Forestry Bureau; Canberra.

USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) (2006) Plant Guide: Pinus Jeffreyi. Available at: http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_pije.pdf (verified 15/06/09).

Global present distribution data references

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 09/06/2009).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2008) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 09/06/2009).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2008) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 09/06/2009).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2009) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 09/06/2009).

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