Planning on growing nut producing pine trees

in HiveGarden18 days ago (edited)

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.

I bought the following species of pine nuts:

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.

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I don't know if anyone had ever told you... you're nuts 😆

lol!

 17 days ago  

Great idea for sustainable growth ;)
I have a pine as old as me in the birth house' backyard.
It's a common one here Pinus Nigra. Never tried the nuts :) but they're small one.

Cold & rains a not at all a problem for most pines... They even enjoy it as SPA :)
Drought you must keep off, especially in the first years.
Please keep the babies safe from harsh climate!

Greets from Bulgaria!

Oh cool, I do not think we have that kind of pine here.

Yeah many of the pine trees do not have very good nuts for eating.

OK good, I can make sure they get enough water.. just worried our climate will rain on them too much which I cannot stop.

Thanks for the feedback

I am almost in the same boat as you, I have 4 Barbados cherry trees that are about 6 inches tall, it will be 5 to 7 years before I can get a cherry. You might be nuts but I am cherries. lol

Oh cool! I have some cherry trees as well.. Hoping to get fruit from them one day.

Lol!

You are so happy to plant I love people like you my brother @solominer you are very good at taking care of this nature, hope this pine tree grows fruitfully and can enjoy the results

Thanks.. hopefully this will all work out.

You are my brother

I'm glad you're thinking of planting this type of tree so that its fruits can be used. Let's see how these seeds adapt to the humidity and height of the soil.

I think it's an excellent investment. I wish you the best of success, dear friend @solominer

The growth of these trees will add more value to the property

Enjoy the weekend

Yep lets see.. yeah if they survive I think they will as well.

You too!

I don’t know what pines and pestos are but it is never too late to make research
Thank you😊😊

Ah.. well your missing out then. Both are great.

Thats a pine tree

Hello @solominer
It's good to see how you are optimizing your field, it's great that you are thinking of planting trees that can take advantage of their production
I hope that the six varieties of seeds adapt well to the terrain.

Much appreciated, yes lets hope they do well here.

I never know what this plant looks like, I am hearing it for the first time. I wish you success in your planting

Oh they look like this... thank you

You bought a lot of pine seeds, and I also don't know if the pine tree will grow well in your place, but plant it immediately and I want to see if the tree grows well in your place, and if it succeeds then in the last 6 or seven years you will be able to enjoy pine nuts to your satisfaction. Good evening my brother ♥️♥️

Haha yes I did.. its going to be hard to use them all.

You did a nice plan, I love your Passion in it, doing a research is a nice work because some people follow another feet step of planting, some do because they see another people doing it so that they will not they are lazy, you really care about the nature, you are the hope, planting this pine tree is really good, because there is hope in it, Greetings.

I really do care about these little seedlings.. hope only the best for them.

I hope the planting of these pine plants goes smoothly, my brother. and managed to enjoy the results with full gratitude and satisfaction🙏

Very good idea@solominer . I am very glad to hear it❤️

Much appreciated, lets see if it works.

yes my brother, thank you very much.❤️

God willing, with something that your efforts and enthusiasm dream of
@solominer definitely got satisfactory results.🙏

Perfect plan brother, the nuts are as fresh as ever

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I hope you will be successful in planting and growing those nuts.😊

Thank you

You're welcome. 😊😊

Besides being admirable, it is very important what you do for the environment and your well-being. A welfare that goes beyond the economic and is based on your personal and spiritual development.
I am a professor of Geography and all actions of this type give me immense joy because things like this help to restore a little bit of human damage to nature.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for the example. Happy weekend. Cheers and greetings.

Your property will surely increase in value as these trees grow @solominer. It's great that you want to grow pinenuts.
I consider it to be a very wise investment.
I hope all the best for you, @solominer.
!BBH

@solominer! @silversaver888 likes your content! so I just sent 1 BBH to your account on behalf of @silversaver888. (1/20)

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It would be awesome if you could infuse the seedlings with fungus for Lactarius deliciosus or any other edible Mycorrhiza kind of fungus, especially if they are the ones who like resinous trees, i know on my country the Lactarius ones grow a lot under the pines that give nuts.

Trying out these varieties would help you at the end, to make your choices of which is best.
I wish you luck!