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Native trees for the residential landscape
The Mighty Pinion Pine!
By Chris Leinster - August 22, 2024
Colorado is tough on trees. So tough, in fact, that very few trees are native to Colorado. If you look at any undeveloped land (getting tougher to find) along the Front Range, you’ll notice that there are no trees naturally growing on the High Chaparral. Long hot Summers, high altitude, low humidity, poor soil, wild temperature swings, extreme cold snaps, and heavy snow loads all contribute to an environment that makes it nearly impossible for trees to take hold.
One exception to consider is the mighty Pinion Pine. Sometimes known as Pinyon Pine, these rugged survivors are found in native stands throughout Colorado and the Intermountain West. Their range extends from Canada down into Mexico. More impressively, they’re found westward, thriving in the scorched deserts of Utah! The cover photo was taken in Arches National Park. Pinyon Pine is the official state tree of New Mexico. You’ll see fine examples clinging to the cliffs and enjoying the music at Red Rocks Ampitheater!
Pinion grow slowly, just a couple of inches per year, although with irrigation their growth can be accelerated a bit. The trees you find in the desert can be hundreds of years old! Native trees are often in various states of decay displaying twisted and gnarled dead and bare branches. This does not detract from their intrinsic beauty, however, as the exfoliating bark and bleached wood provide character and contrast to the surviving branches’ vibrant green needles striving to survive in the relentless desert heat. In fact, Pinion Pine might be one of a few trees that may look just as good dead as they do alive, as their skeletons can remain standing for many decades, a fitting tribute to their immense struggle for survival.
The Happy Trees Pinion Pine we plant for you shouldn’t suffer that fate for generations to come though. Just like all newly planted trees, they will need regular watering until they’re established, being extra careful to not over-water. Once the trees are established you can plug the emitters and it will thrive on natural precipitation only, although keep watering if you desire more growth.
Pinion Pine are mostly collected trees dug off of private ranch land, land slated for development, or off of Bureau of Land Management land by permit. They are genetically variable, meaning that they each have unique appearances and expressions. They can be tall and slender, fat and bushy, somewhere in-between, or even multiple trunked! With so many traits and forms, there’s a Pinion Pine appropriate for any landscape! They’re perfect for anchoring the corner of the home, where their slow growth won’t swallow up the house in the coming years. Consider Pinion for the corner of the yard, to screen utility boxes, or to provide privacy for a hot tub.
One final fun fact is that Pinion Pine produce edible pine nuts! They’re great for snacking, can be milled for baking, or they add a crunchy snap to a garden salad. You can collect your own, but probably better to buy some if you spot them in mountain town tourist shops.
One exception to consider is the mighty Pinion Pine. Sometimes known as Pinyon Pine, these rugged survivors are found in native stands throughout Colorado and the Intermountain West. Their range extends from Canada down into Mexico. More impressively, they’re found westward, thriving in the scorched deserts of Utah! The cover photo was taken in Arches National Park. Pinyon Pine is the official state tree of New Mexico. You’ll see fine examples clinging to the cliffs and enjoying the music at Red Rocks Ampitheater!
Pinion grow slowly, just a couple of inches per year, although with irrigation their growth can be accelerated a bit. The trees you find in the desert can be hundreds of years old! Native trees are often in various states of decay displaying twisted and gnarled dead and bare branches. This does not detract from their intrinsic beauty, however, as the exfoliating bark and bleached wood provide character and contrast to the surviving branches’ vibrant green needles striving to survive in the relentless desert heat. In fact, Pinion Pine might be one of a few trees that may look just as good dead as they do alive, as their skeletons can remain standing for many decades, a fitting tribute to their immense struggle for survival.
The Happy Trees Pinion Pine we plant for you shouldn’t suffer that fate for generations to come though. Just like all newly planted trees, they will need regular watering until they’re established, being extra careful to not over-water. Once the trees are established you can plug the emitters and it will thrive on natural precipitation only, although keep watering if you desire more growth.
Pinion Pine are mostly collected trees dug off of private ranch land, land slated for development, or off of Bureau of Land Management land by permit. They are genetically variable, meaning that they each have unique appearances and expressions. They can be tall and slender, fat and bushy, somewhere in-between, or even multiple trunked! With so many traits and forms, there’s a Pinion Pine appropriate for any landscape! They’re perfect for anchoring the corner of the home, where their slow growth won’t swallow up the house in the coming years. Consider Pinion for the corner of the yard, to screen utility boxes, or to provide privacy for a hot tub.
One final fun fact is that Pinion Pine produce edible pine nuts! They’re great for snacking, can be milled for baking, or they add a crunchy snap to a garden salad. You can collect your own, but probably better to buy some if you spot them in mountain town tourist shops.