How to Grow a Pinon Tree from a Seed

Crunchy and delicious pine nuts come from the pinon tree, or Pinus pinea, which is one of 115 species in the genus Pinus. The pinon tree grows successfully in many diverse climate zones, from USDA zone 1, where winter low temperatures can drop to 50 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, to zone 10, which is subtropical. They also grow in a wide range of soils, thriving in wet clay as well as sandy loam. If you have a large property and want to attempt growing this tree from seed, expect to wait about 10 years before your tree will provide edible nuts.

Things You'll Need

• Thermometer
• Sand or pumice
• Mycorrhizal fungus
• Nursery flat

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Choose or create an environment where the temperature remains at about 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

   • 2

     Collect mycorrhizal fungus, which is a type of mushroom, from under growing pine trees or purchase tablets of this naturally occurring substance.

   • 3

     Combine about 4 quarts of coarse river sand or pumice with about 1 cup of the mycorrhizal fungus. Fill a nursery flat with this mixture, then sprinkle it with water to moisten the mixture.

   • 4

     Bury pinon seeds about 1 inch deep in your sandy growing medium.

   • 5

     Keep this slow-growing tree well-watered and in a protected location for up to one year after starting seeds.