It is named after Norwegian explorer Carl Sofus Lumholtz.

This pine occurs only in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes (29° to 22° North latitude).

It grows in warm temperate and cool climates, with summer rainfall.

Pinus lumholtzii grows to 15–20 metres (49–66 ft) tall.

It is on the IUCN Red List of endangered plant species in Mexico.