Digging Piñon Pine

[Hartinez]

Here’s some of the cool trees I saw. Most of these were fully locked in and uncollectible unfortunately. But beautiful none the less.

 

[Hartinez]

Those are nice. I’m hoping to collect some in Nevada here this weekend any tips tricks or after care suggestions. Thanks

It’s all about that root ball. So much of the dirt they grow in does not stay intact at collection. Seek out trees growing in thick layers of pine duff. Makes for better soil, roots and collecting. I’ve had the most success in these soils. The root taproots always seems much smaller and the mychrorizae is abundant

Clay soils work also, just gotta be ok taking home larger amounts of heavy dirt. I’ve had less success with this types.

I’ve had zero success collecting in unstable sandy soils.

 

[Hartinez]

You can see my little collecting buddy staring at the views behind me.

 

[Kyleboldy2003]

It’s all about that root ball. So much of the dirt they grow in does not stay intact at collection. Seek out trees growing in thick layers of pine duff. Makes for better soil, roots and collecting. I’ve had the most success in these soils. The root taproots always seems much smaller and the mychrorizae is abundant

Clay soils work also, just gotta be ok taking home larger amounts of heavy dirt. I’ve had less success with this types.

I’ve had zero success collecting in unstable sandy soils.

Thanks I will keep it in mind

 

[clem]

Amazing, is there "spots" of good pinon pines or good pinon pines everywhere on those mountains ?

Too bad this one isn't collectable, it looks amazing ->

 

[Hartinez]

Amazing, is there "spots" of good pinon pines or good pinon pines everywhere on those mountains ?

Too bad this one isn't collectable, it looks amazing ->
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This one is just incredible. Much bigger even in person than it appears.

Yea, on this mountain there are many more areas ripe for exploration.

 

[Hartinez]

Biggest piñon yet. From about a month ago. Candles extending and interior foliage sloughing off.

 

[treeline]

Really beautiful material that's going to be an absolute baddie in a few years. Your success collecting desert natives is really inspiring to me. Once I get comfortable collecting lodgepole and ponderosa I'm going to give some pinon a shot. Love the craggy bark and short needles these have!

 

[Hartinez]

Really beautiful material that's going to be an absolute baddie in a few years. Your success collecting desert natives is really inspiring to me. Once I get comfortable collecting lodgepole and ponderosa I'm going to give some pinon a shot. Love the craggy bark and short needles these have!

I have struggled historically with Piñon. Our native soils are not conducive to collection. It really took searching a number of places to find the right soil types to collect from with great success

 

[Hartinez]

This right here is what I’m almost certain is the reason behind my massive success in collecting piñon over the last few years. The soil these are growing in is seemingly so rich and a perfect medium for growth in the wild. Deep brownish black color vs. the light brown clay like soil i had always found them in before. The soil creates better roots at the surface, meaning a MUCH smaller taproot, meaning a far easier collect.

 

[rutulus]

These are really inspiring. I struggle to collect pines because the most interesting species in my part of the world grow almost exclusively in sand. Your experiences at least confirm to me that my technique might not be completely to blame when I’m trying to lift from sand.

Awesome photos and trees Hope to see a pinon in person one day.

 

[clem]

This right here is what I’m almost certain is the reason behind my massive success in collecting piñon over the last few years. The soil these are growing in is seemingly so rich and a perfect medium for growth in the wild. Deep brownish black color vs. the light brown clay like soil i had always found them in before. The soil creates better roots at the surface, meaning a MUCH smaller taproot, meaning a far easier collect.

The first pic looks like biogold fertilizer pellets degrading ^^

 

[Potawatomi13]

The piñon pine. Yes I’m referring to New Mexico based pine not the Colorado pinyon, which I’m convinced the only difference is the lack of the ñ in the spelling and pronunciation. But that’s more shit talk that biological knowledge.

I’ve long thought these could be phenomenal specimen for bonsai. Not only for their needle size, rugged craggy bark, twisty forms, but also the cultural and historical importance they hold for northern New Mexican peoples and the possibilities available in the presentation of the trees in shows and exhibits.

I’m not the only one who has thought this, but they are notoriously difficult to dig. I’d say a big reason for this is the conditions in which many grow. Low water, sandy soils that have little to no feeder roots and massive tap roots. But I have found many instances where these trees are quite collectible and have had great success over the last 3 years or so. I’ve collected 9 trees over the last 3 years with 7 of them surviving and thriving. Most of these trees while nice trees in there own right we’re just ok trees and lacking that certain factor that sets them apart.

With so much success lately, I have attempted over the last few weeks to dig some pretty bad ass and size-able specimen that I’m very excited about. These 3 were collected in the same way I collected all the others and there is no reason they wouldn’t respond the same. But we shall see!!!

Great bends, massive trunk, craggy bark, healthy buds. Here’s the best pics I have. (There is a second piñon in the box that came with this one at collection cause they were growing together)
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The other 2.
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O'boy!Personally, judging by the aged wood at the bottom of #3 that is an olllllllld tree. Best of fortune.