Twoneedle Pinyon
Pinus edulis
- Native to:
- United States
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- Pinus edulis
- USDA Symbol:
- PIED
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Coleotechnites edulicola, Cydia colorana, Dasychira grisefacta, Doris' pinemoth (Coloradia doris), Eucosma bobana, Giant Lophocampa (Lophocampa ingens), Petrova arizonensis, pulmonaria stenoporpia (Stenoporpia pulmonaria), Velda pinemoth (Coloradia velda), Menapia White (Neophasia menapia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Mature trees can survive low-intensity surface fires due to thick bark. Seedlings and saplings are fire-sensitive. Typically found in fire-return intervals of 10-30 years.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid, high-altitude regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification. Fresh seed may germinate without treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are imbibed in water for 2 days and then artificially stratified in a refrigerator for 90 days. Alternatively, seeds can be removed from storage and placed in water at room temperature for 12 - 18 hours, then stratified for 14 - 28 days at temperatures ranging from 2 to 4°C. Some protocols suggest no pre-treatment is necessary.
Establishment: Seeds are typically collected during the fall months. There are regional variations in the protocols, and some suggest no pre-treatment is necessary. The protocols also vary in terms of sowing date, with some suggesting late spring and others suggesting fall.
Source: npn.rngr.net