Pinyon or Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
Pinaceae - Pine
Description
Leaves: Needles in groups of 2; sometimes newest needles appear to be borne singly, but separate into 2s when squeezed gently; 1" to 2" long; fairly stiff; yellow-green; evergreen, remain on tree 3-9 years.
Twigs/buds: Twigs fairly stout; orange to brown colored. Buds small, oval, brown.
Flowers/fruit: Monoecious. Fruit a woody cone with very short or no stalk; 1" to 2-1/2" long; oval to round; reddish- brown; scales few and not tipped with a prickle; seeds wingless and large, about 1/2" long, thin-shelled, edible.
Bark: Fairly thin; ridged.
Wood: Unimportant except for firewood and occasionally fence posts; fairly hard.
General: Native throughout most of southern, central, and eastern Utah at mid-elevations; and throughout the southwestern U.S. The fruit (seed) is an important food for certain southwestern Indians. Grows on dry sites, often mixed with junipers. Shade intolerant.
Landscape Use: Seldom planted though could do well on dry sites. Sometimes present as native trees in housing developments--trees in this situation often do poorly due to over-watering and root damage; pinyons in these situations also pose a fire hazard. Zones 4-8.
Characteristics
General
Family | Pinaceae - Pine |
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Cultivar Availability | No |
Hardiness Zone | 4-8 |
Type | Conifer |
Utah Native | Yes |
Growth
Growth Rate | Low |
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Mature Height | Medium |
Longevity | High |
Is Good Under Power Lines | Yes |
Crown Shapes | Rounded |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
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Fall Color | No |
Flowers | No |
Foliage | Yes |
Fruit | Yes |
Tolerance
Shade | Low |
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Salt | Medium |
Drought | High |
Poor Drainage | Low |
Alkalinity | High |
Transplanting | Medium |