Singleleaf Pinyon Pine is a woody evergreen pine native to dry mountain ranges in the western US. It has blue-green needles bundled singly, giving it its name. It grows slowly to a mature height of 10-35 feet. Female cones are rounded and about 2 inches, bearing edible pine nuts every 3-7 years. In gardens, it is used as a specimen plant, screen, or bonsai and provides habitat for birds. It grows well in full sun to part shade with occasional water in well-draining soil.

1. *Singleleaf Pinyon Pine – Pinus monophylla
(PI-nus mono-FI(or FEE)-luh)
Family: Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Native to: Dry mountain ranges of the western U.S. from ID to NM and n. Baja. In CA in Sierra
Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, Peninsular and Transverse Ranges, desert mtns – locally in San
Gabriel mtns; Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Foothill Woodland between 4000-7500 ft. elevation.
woody tree
mature height: 10-35+ ft.
mature width: 5-15 ft.
Woody evergreen pine. Pyramidal shape when young, becoming more mounded/irregular with age.
Foliage blue-green to gray-green; needles in bundles of one (unusual, and hence its name). Plant
grows rapidly when young, then slowly. Live hundreds of years in wild. Very tough plant.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring; separate male, female cones. Bearing begins about 35 years of
age. Rounded female cones ~ 2 inches, brown. Seeds (pine nuts) are very delicious – prized food
where ever this plant grows. Good crops every 3-7 years on mature trees.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a specimen plant in regional gardens. Makes a good waterwise screen/large hedge. Suitable choice for regional Asian-style gardens. Nice shape and waterwise. Can be trained as bonsai. Sometimes grown as edible crop tree. Gives a rustic, western look
to any garden. Mature plants (15+ years) make a garden look well-established. Good choice for
shade tree – prune out the lower branches. Note: all pines are flammable.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native pines.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, nest sites and seeds for food. Many kinds of birds
and small mammals feed on the seeds including jays.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade
Any soil from sandy to clay; acidic to alkali – very adaptable
Only occasional water once established; Water Zone 1-2 best.
Not needed
Organic mulch OK; best if needles left to self-mulch
Pretty carefree if not over-watered. Watch for bark borers, Oak Root Rot and other
stem and root rot fungal infections. Prune out dead limbs if needed.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: needs cold-moist pre-treatment
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers):
by cuttings: yes
Monrovia Nursery, 11, 13, 14
12/2/13
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