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Post by castanea on Nov 16, 2011 22:29:10 GMT -5
Pine trees seem to be overlooked as a food source in the US, perhaps because we have such an abundance of food, but pine nuts are still a high quality food item that can be grown in many different areas (zones 3-10) with minimal effort. I'm planning a pine nut orchard composed of the better nut producers. In zones 8-10, a wonderful choice would be pinus maximartinezii, which may have not only the largest pine cones, but also the largest pine nuts. Unfortunately, the tree is very hard to find: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big-cone_PinyonFor colder areas, I'm going to focus on some of these trees from Rhora's: www.nuttrees.com/edible.htmForest Farm also has a nice selection of pine trees: www.forestfarm.com/ |
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Nov 16, 2011 23:59:06 GMT -5
Pine trees seem to be overlooked as a food source in the US, perhaps because we have such an abundance of food, but pine nuts are still a high quality food item that can be grown in many different areas (zones 3-10) with minimal effort. Lots of pine-nut trees grow feral out at the ranch... However I have never managed to get out there at exactly the right time to be able to harvest them. The birds, and the mammals, and the insects carry off every seed before I have a chance at them... It might be possible though to create artificial packrat burrows so that the stashed seeds could be easily stolen. Last time I ate pine-nuts they left a nasty metallic taste in my mouth that stayed for weeks. It was so distressing that I'm not likely to try eating them again. Wikipedia attributes this to one particular Chinese species: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_nutOut at the ranch, pinyon pines are extremely slow growing. I guess that is due partially to the extreme dryness, and partially to the genetics of a tree that can survive it. |
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 17, 2011 9:36:53 GMT -5
I've looked at Rhora's catalogue with interest. We have several acres of pine that produce small nuts but as Joseph said, we're in competition with the animals in that regard!
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Post by castanea on Nov 17, 2011 9:43:56 GMT -5
Pine trees seem to be overlooked as a food source in the US, perhaps because we have such an abundance of food, but pine nuts are still a high quality food item that can be grown in many different areas (zones 3-10) with minimal effort. Lots of pine-nut trees grow feral out at the ranch... However I have never managed to get out there at exactly the right time to be able to harvest them. The birds, and the mammals, and the insects carry off every seed before I have a chance at them... It might be possible though to create artificial packrat burrows so that the stashed seeds could be easily stolen. Last time I ate pine-nuts they left a nasty metallic taste in my mouth that stayed for weeks. It was so distressing that I'm not likely to try eating them again. Wikipedia attributes this to one particular Chinese species: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_nutOut at the ranch, pinyon pines are extremely slow growing. I guess that is due partially to the extreme dryness, and partially to the genetics of a tree that can survive it. I had those metallic tasting nuts once. I got them at Trader Joes years ago. I've never ran into them since then. I'm planting a lot of large Nevada soft shell nuts. |
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Post by castanea on Nov 17, 2011 9:46:31 GMT -5
I've looked at Rhora's catalogue with interest. We have several acres of pine that produce small nuts but as Joseph said, we're in competition with the animals in that regard! The way professionals harvest them is to pull the cones off the tree just before they open, so there is no competition at all. You just have to develop an expertise as to when they are ready. Once they open, the nuts fall out quickly and are a lost cause. |
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Post by castanea on Nov 17, 2011 9:59:33 GMT -5
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Post by MikeH on Nov 17, 2011 10:15:22 GMT -5
I've looked at Rhora's catalogue with interest. We have several acres of pine that produce small nuts but as Joseph said, we're in competition with the animals in that regard! Yep, but we bought Korean pines from Golden Bough instead on the basis that GB is in the same zone as us while Rhora is a bit warmer being more or less on the shore of Lake Erie. Nonetheless, we'll probably put in a large order with Rhora this spring. Charles Rhora is not a young man which makes one wonder what the future holds for the nursery and its unique offerings. Regards, Mike |
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Post by steev on Nov 17, 2011 10:15:57 GMT -5
Very interesting sites; I'll be looking into these for sure. I've been planting Italian stone pines, mostly for shade and beauty, but a serious effort to plant for food would be worthwhile. Pistachios grow well on the farm.
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Post by bonsaioutlaw on Nov 17, 2011 18:14:27 GMT -5
I have about 100 foot tall Japanese Black Pines that I grew from seed. I plan to remove "junk" trees and replace them with these here on the farm. I don't know about eating the nuts, but they do make lovely bonsai. lol
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Post by spacecase0 on Nov 17, 2011 18:20:39 GMT -5
pine nuts are wonderful,
and if you don't like to eat them, they make a good cash crop.
I need to work on the harvesting part
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Post by cortona on Nov 20, 2011 13:20:24 GMT -5
lots of italian pinenuts here(herrr probably because i live in italy.....)anybody have some seeds of other pinenuts pine? it can be a sloooow process but add food plants around here is ever a good thing!
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Post by steev on Nov 20, 2011 14:33:20 GMT -5
I started with Italian stone pines just because they will do fine on the farm; they are generally very cheap after Christmas, being sold as small potted plants for the holidays; they are eventually such beautifully formed trees, the iconic pines of Renaissance paintings; if I live until they produce a crop, that's lagniappe and I'll have pesto on my tomatoes!
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Post by cortona on Nov 20, 2011 15:49:02 GMT -5
steev please pesto is for pasta.... not for tomatoes...;-)
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Post by synergy on Nov 20, 2011 17:39:56 GMT -5
I have an order with Rhoras for 4 pinenut seedlings for next spring. I imagine I am in for a long time growing until there is anything to fight the squirrels for.
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Post by steev on Nov 20, 2011 19:26:06 GMT -5
Sorry, cortona, I'm not Italian so I'll use pesto as I please; it's so good, I might use it for toothpaste!
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