Pinyon pines, also referred to as pinion or piñon are a set of small evergreens native to the dry, upland plains and foothills of the American Southwest, the intermountain regions of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and northern Mexico.
Pinyons are still an essential food source for birds like Clark’s nutcracker and assorted jays, small mammals and — less often — mule deer. The nuts, a traditional food source for Native Americans, are now marketed extensively and appreciated in everything from baked candies to pasta dishes. Pinyon timber, rich with resin, is very fragrant when burnt and highly appreciated for firewood.
There are numerous species, including single-leaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and Mexican pinyon (Pinus cembroides). The most commercially available species, occasionally called two-needle pinyon or Colorado pinyon (Pinus cembroides edulis) is the focus of this ideabook.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Botanical name: Pinus cembroides edulis
Common title: Pinyon pine
Origin: Native to the southwestern United States
USDA zones: 4 to 9 (find your zone)
Elevation range: 4,000 to 8,000 ft
Water requirement: Very low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 25 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet broad
Advantages and tolerances: Cold hardy; small evergreen tree with edible nuts; instead of heat, drought, poor soils and end
Seasonal curiosity: Green year-round
When to plant: Spring through early fall
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Distinguishing attributes. Pinyon pine is a slow-growing, short-needle walnut which typically has two 1 1/2- to 2-inch-long needles per fascicle (package). The chunky 2-inch cones produce tasty nuts that ripen in late September through October.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
The best way to use it. Pinyon pines are perfect evergreen trees for small landscapes. They grouped to create a dense screen or may be used as a accent specimen. They are candidates for planting berms, as they must have good drainage.
Blend them with other drought-tolerant natives, like rabbitbrush (Ericameria spp( shown here), sagebrush (Artemesia spp), fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) and Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa).
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Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Planting notes. Pinyons are lots of poor, infertile lands and will even set on rocky slopes. They must have good drainage, so avoid planting them in heavy clay soil. Pinyons create a deep taproot; select the planting location carefully, since they don’t transplant well. Avoid overwatering. Once they’re established, they favor deep, infrequent soaking.
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