Foxtail Pine (Pinus balfouriana) is a subalpine conifer endemic to California. Its geographic range is disjunct as it is found growing naturally in the southern Sierra Nevada and the Klamath Mountains of northern California. It isn't found growing anywhere in between despite an abundance of superficially suitable habitat. The two populations are separated by approximately 300 miles. On the east side of the Sierra Nevada, this species is only 20 air miles from the closely related bristlecone pine of the White Mountains.
The tree is abundant in the frequently visited subalpine zone of the southern Sierra Nevada where Foxtail pines share the subalpine habitat with Sierra Lodgepole Pine. Foxtails are usually found on dry, well-drained slopes while Lodgepoles are most commonly found on moist, poorly-drained sites.
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