Unlike the ugly duckling of storybook fame, there is a California native tree that just doesn’t get any better looking the older it gets. It is the Grey Pine, or commonly called here in our neck of the woods: The Digger Pine.
The Grey Pine Known as a Digger Pine
Our experience with the Diggers began when we moved up here. The trees have a huge limb where it attaches to the trunk, and as it grows this area get bigger while what grows up and away from the tree is spindly. The trees also reach a height of anywhere between 80 to 100 feet tall.
The heavy branches of the Digger Pine
Here you can see how spindly the tops get. This tree died and was just recently taken out, but you can get the idea of this ugly duckling tree from this photo.
Our dead digger
In January 2008 we had a huge storm here with winds clocking in at 80 m.p.h. which caused branches to come down. The one in the front of our house had a break that just missed our neighbors well house when it came down. To give you a bit of perspective, these broken limbs were approximately two feet in diameter at the base.
This one just missed the neighbors well house
The other tree, in the back missed our deck by 6 inches.
Broken branches
The force of it falling was so great that we found branches buried into the ground, where they remain today. When we tried to remove these pieces we discovered that they were into the ground about two feet deep. Lucky for us we were not outside when these came down! Contrary to popular belief here, Digger pines do break and fall as is evidenced by what we experienced.
Another downside of the Digger are their pinecones. The cones are found at the tops of the trees and are huge! Definite widow makers! Now imagine a cone, the size of the one below, falling from 80 feet. These are affectionately referred to as “Placerville Pineapples.”
A Digger Pinecone against a Granny Smith Apple
When these trees start to develop they are actually very straight trees, but as they get bigger the Diggers grow at unusual angles.
Not quite straight
Growing side by side with the Digger pine is the majestic Ponderosa.
The straight majestic Ponderosa
Another beautiful Ponderosa
Amazingly, some find the Digger a beautiful tree. Me? I will take the Ponderosa any day over the Digger pine.
Life in the Foothills 