Pinus edulis aka Pignolia

Pinus edulis, or pinyon pine, belongs to the pine family. This evergreen tree grows in the western and southwestern United States. Its range reaches northwest Texas and parts of northern Mexico. It lives on dry slopes, mesas, and plateaus. It also grows beside junipers near the Rocky Mountain foothills. New Mexico has chosen it as its state tree.

Garden trees reach 10–20 feet [3–6.1 metres] in height. Their spread ranges from 12–36 feet [3.7–11 metres]. Some trees reach about 45 feet [14 metres] tall. Growth is slow, and trees can live for many years. Young trees have a dense, balanced shape with spreading branches. Older trees may have crooked trunks and a flat crown. The brown or reddish bark has shallow grooves and scaly ridges. Thick, orange-brown twigs bear green to blue-green needles. Most needle bundles hold two needles, though some hold three. Pale rows of stomata mark the needle surfaces.

This pine bears cones rather than flowers or true fruits. Small pollen cones range from yellow to reddish brown. Seed cones take two years to mature after pollination. Ripe cones are egg-shaped, with thick scales and large, wingless seeds. People gather the seeds in autumn, often during September and October. Birds and mammals also eat them, including jays and woodrats. Trees grown from seed may take about 25 years to crop. Good seed crops may then come every three or four years.

Give this tree full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in sand, loam, clay, and shallow rocky ground. Plants For A Future favours sandy or gravelly loam. It also reports a preference for acid soil. Established trees withstand drought and suit hot, dry sites. Poor drainage and humid southeastern summers can cause trouble. Hardiness reports differ: NC State lists USDA zones 6–8. Oregon State reports cold tolerance to zone 3. Wind can damage trees, and the plant has high fire risk. NC State also lists striped pine scale as a pest.

Pinyon pine suits dry gardens, slopes, woodlands, and natural plantings. Gardeners can use it as a specimen or screen. It resists deer and hosts imperial moth caterpillars. People use its wood for posts and fuel. The edible seeds provide oil and protein. Eat them raw or roasted, or grind them into meal. They also serve in bread, sweets, and nut butter.