| Neutral | Pameladragon | On Mar 10, 2004, Pameladragon from Appomattox, VA wrote: Pinyon pine is a common tree in the south western part of the US. It grows from Colorado Springs south and west and is able to withstand severe winter conditions and cold.
The tree is often found in very rough country exposed to wind and sun and not much moisture. They grow slowly and a small specimen may be decades old. Given ideal conditions the tree will grow faster however.
The seeds are delicious and can be bought as pine nuts or pignoles in the west. They taste very much like the Italian stone pine nuts. Collect the unopened cones and allow them to open in a warm place. The edible seed is inside the hard outer covering. It is a lot of work to get them but well worth the effort. A few go a long way in dishes.
Seedlings and small trees can be collected in the wild, get permission first! And will generally transplant well.
Do not overwater, they are xerophytic.
We brought several tiny seedlings from Canon City, CO, collected in the wild, and one is still thriving, after 3 years, in Appomattox, Va, planted in poor soil and a dry location. It is only about 5" tall. A much larger b&b specimen purchased at a nursery succumbed to a sooty mold infection that did not respond well to diazinon. It is perhaps too humid in Virginia for Pinyon Pines. Italian Stone Pine does grow and thrive, however
Generally they look very scrubby but can be effective in the correct location. |
