[4] While the species has a limited range in the wild, the Coulter pine is a popular ornamental tree and is grown in many countries.

The bark is dark gray-brown to near black, deeply furrowed, with long, scaly, irregularly anastomosing, rounded ridges.

[2] The leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, glaucous gray-green in color, 15–30 cm (6–10 in) long, and stout, 2 mm (0.08 in) thick.

[citation needed] Seed cones mature in two years, gradually shedding seeds thereafter, and are moderately persistent, massive, heavy, drooping, asymmetric at the base, narrowly ovoid before opening, ovoid-cylindric when open, 20–35 cm (8–10 in) long, pale yellow-brown in color, and resinous, with stalks to 3 cm (1.2 in).

The apophyses are transverse-rhombic, strongly and sharply cross-keeled, elongate, curved, and continuous with umbos to form long, upcurved claws 2.5–3 cm (0.98–1.2 in).

The seeds are obovoid in shape, dark brown in color, and the body 15–22 cm (5.9–8.7 in) long, with a wing to 25 mm (1 in).

[9] Pinus coulteri was discovered by Coulter on the mountains of Santa Lucia, near the Mission of San Antonio, at latitude 36°, within sight of the ocean and at an elevation between 3000 and 4000 feet above sea level.

[citation needed] This erect, medium-sized pine prefers south-facing slopes from 200–2,300 m (700–8,000 ft) elevation, and tolerates dry rocky soil.

[citation needed] Pinus coulteri is cultivated as an ornamental tree, planted in parks and large gardens, and used in drought-tolerant landscaping.