Pinyon pines, also known as pinion or piñon, are a group of small evergreens native to the dry, upland plains and foothills of the American Southwest, the intermountain regions of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and northern Mexico.
Pinyons are an important food source for birds such as Clark's nutcracker and various jays, small mammals and — less frequently — mule deer. The nuts, a traditional food source for Native Americans, are now marketed widely and enjoyed in everything from baked sweets to pasta dishes. Pinyon wood, rich with resin, is extremely fragrant when burned and highly valued for firewood.
There are several species, including single-leaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and Mexican pinyon (Pinus cembroides). The most commercially available species, sometimes called two-needle pinyon or Colorado pinyon (Pinus cembroides edulis) is the focus of this ideabook.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Botanical name:Pinus cembroides edulis Common name: Pinyon pine Origin: Native to the southwestern United States USDA zones: 4 to 9 (find your zone) Elevation range: 4,000 to 8,000 feet Water requirement: Very low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 25 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Cold hardy; small-scale evergreen tree with edible nuts; tolerant of heat, drought, poor soils and wind Seasonal interest: Green year-round When to plant: Spring through early fall
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Distinguishing traits. Pinyon pine is a slow-growing, short-needle pine that typically has two 1 1/2- to 2-inch-long needles per fascicle (bundle). The chunky 2-inch cones produce tasty nuts that ripen in late September through October.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
How to use it. Pinyon pines are ideal evergreen trees for small landscapes. They may be used as an accent specimen or grouped to form a dense screen. They are ideal candidates for planting on berms, as they must have good drainage.
Combine them with other drought-tolerant natives, like rabbitbrush (Ericameria spp, shown here), sagebrush (Artemesia spp), fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) and Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa).
Boor Bridges Architecture
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Planting notes. Pinyons are tolerant of poor, infertile soils and will even establish on rocky slopes. They must have good drainage, so avoid planting them in heavy clay soil. Pinyons develop a deep taproot; choose the planting location carefully, as they don't transplant well. Avoid overwatering. Once they're established, they prefer deep, infrequent soaking.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Botanical name: Pinus cembroides edulis
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Distinguishing traits. Pinyon pine is a slow-growing, short-needle pine that typically has two 1 1/2- to 2-inch-long needles per fascicle (bundle). The chunky 2-inch cones produce tasty nuts that ripen in late September through October.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
How to use it. Pinyon pines are ideal evergreen trees for small landscapes. They may be used as an accent specimen or grouped to form a dense screen. They are ideal candidates for planting on berms, as they must have good drainage. 
Boor Bridges Architecture
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Planting notes. Pinyons are tolerant of poor, infertile soils and will even establish on rocky slopes. They must have good drainage, so avoid planting them in heavy clay soil. Pinyons develop a deep taproot; choose the planting location carefully, as they don't transplant well. Avoid overwatering. Once they're established, they prefer deep, infrequent soaking.