Single-Needle Piñón Pine

Grow an evocative evergreen specimen with native Single-Needle Piñón Pine (Pinus monophylla). The Single-Needle Pinon is a Pine in the pinyon Pine group, native to the southwest United States and northwest Baja, Mexico. This mid-sized tree has fragrant resin and wood to perfume your landscape with the aroma of the Southwest.

This showy choice will eventually produce brown, rose-shaped cones that produce healthy, valuable, edible pine nuts. Press them for oil, or process these "large seed" species for sale.

Planting and Application:

Their lush presentation stems from a thick trunk and gray-green to strongly waxy pale blue-green needles that remain on the plentiful branches for many years. Young trees feature a compact, oval shape that eventually opens up a bit in form.

• Wildlife appreciates both the nuts and the shelter of this native Pine, which is nicknamed Colorado Pinyon Pine. Birds who eat the nuts include several species of Jays and Clark's Nutcracker.
• Control erosion on vulnerable hillsides with a mass planting of Single-Needle Piñón Pine. Use an informal approach with varied spacing and plenty of open space between the trees to replicate a natural stand.
• Harvest Pine nuts from this "large seed" species, but be prepared for a multi-step hand process in late fall. From drying the nuts on racks to removing the inner shell, it's no wonder the finished product costs so much in farmers markets.
• Single-Needle Piñón Pine is a waterwise choice for Xeriscape landscapes. It also offers visual protection as an effective privacy screen.
• This is a wonderfully redolent choice for small space gardens. However, it is advised that you use Single-Needle Piñón Pine away from your defensible space near your home, and keep the ground beneath it well-raked.

#ProPlantTips for Care: 

Plant Single-Needle Piñón Pine trees in full sun in very well-drained soil. Select their permanent planting site, because they do develop a long taproot and resent moving.

• Provide life-time performance enhancement with symbiotic Nature Hills Root Booster in the planting hole. Get more expert planting tips from the NatureHills.com Horticulture team.
• During the first season, get the root system well-established with a regular schedule of supplemental water. Thereafter, plan to soak your Single-Needle Piñón Pine periodically through the summer season and in dry weather.
• You can tip prune in early spring to encourage branching. Remove limbs back to the trunk as needed to avoid overcrowding and increase air circulation through the canopy.