In continuation of my fascination with
trees, or more specifically trees I think I can grow, I recently planted approximately 600 germinating seeds of Limber Pine (P.flexilis).
For those who aren't familiar, the Limber pine is a fairly large-seeded, 5-needle pine
native to western North America. I have seen this species grow on extremely difficult, dry, windswept sites and the seeds have been/are occasionally eaten. Depending on seed source it is potentially cold hardy to at least zone 2. Sounds like a useful tree. Like the 5-needle stone pines (Siberian, Swiss) the Limber pine relies on birds to disperse its seeds, but unlike the stone pines the cones open at maturity quickly releasing the seeds. In my area, the few landscape trees I have found and the source of my seeds shed theirs during the last half of August. This does limit the opportunity for harvest but I suspect a large quantity of seed could be collected in a fairly short period of time. Individual trees are often shrubby and short in stature, facilitating collection of ripe cones. Unfortunately, limber pine is susceptible to white pine bister rust and is in decline in may areas although resistance to the disease is present in some individuals.
Does anyone here grow this pine or have you in the past collected seeds from wild stands to eat or crush for oil?
