Around where I live we have many "scrub pines". Not something people really look for when it comes to their nut production. They may produce pine nuts, but they are small and do not taste as well as many other cultivated varieties. So after doing some research I found six other pine trees that "may" grow where I live now that also produce tasty pine nuts. Many of these are native to high altitudes much above where I live. So it would be interesting to see how they do at a lower level.
I spent around $70 this group of seeds, I got small bags of each. On there are labels telling me how to prep the seeds for germination. Cold stratification and scarification is required for most, meaning I will need to sand off, nick or crack some of the seeds to get them going. Along with storing them in the refrigerator for a few weeks to a few months depending on the seed.
Pinus Pinea (Italian Stone Pine / Umbrella Pine)
Pinus Koraiensis (Chinese Pinenut / Korean Pine)
Pinus Eldarica (Afghan Pine / Mondell Pine / Lone Star Christmas Tree / Desert Pine / Elder)
Pinus Cembra Sibirica (Swiss Stone Pine / Siberian Pine)
Pinus Pumila (Dwarf Siberian Pine / Japanese Stone Pine)
Pinus Gerardiana (Chilghoza Pine / Gerald's Pine Nut / Nepal Nut Pine)
Most of these Pines can handle cold winters well into the -50F (-45C) range. Though it never gets that cold here, it does get below zero. And one or two of the above pines native habitat may not get as cold as it does here. Though honestly I have never heard about pines being killed by cold. So I have high hopes.
Other concerns is the humidity level where I live, many of these pines come from mountainous or desert regions with lower humidity levels. So its hard to say how that may affect them.
Rainfall amount is something else I need to consider, will they be able to handle large amounts of rain?
So honestly I do not know how well these seeds will do, and if I start them now. I will probably not know for sure for at least 5 years. But if I am successful, in 7-15 years I will have edible pine nuts to eat.
If you do not know what pine nuts are, they are blended to make pesto. Along with the basil it gives pesto its special flavor. You can also eat them raw once de-shelled. Like these in the bag, these are Siberian pine nuts. And quite tasty to eat, but this bag of them costs nearly $40 for 10.58 ounces of them. You cannot grow from these being de-shelled already, but they are indeed quite tasty.. and expensive.
Instead could grow my own, that could be quite nice. At the very least the wild life will go to town on them.
So I am curious how this project will work. If I start them I think its best to start most of those seeds, and hopefully with enough they will pollinate each other. Though spacing them, and staggering the species will be important to minimize disease spreading and to make sure they have enough space to grow for almost a decade before they produce fruit. Twenty feet spacing may be needed for some of these.. While others are dwarf's and need less space.
With an area in mind, I could change a field into a small forest within a decade with all these seeds. And it will be really interesting to see how the wild life responds to all the new pine trees to be around.
That is if they grow at all. Feedback would be greatly appreciated if this idea will work.
Edit note: changed cover image.
