Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pine trees (family Pinaceae, genus Pinus). About 20 species of pine produce seeds large enough to be worth harvesting; in other pines the seeds are also edible, but are too small to be of value as a human food. Pine nuts have been eaten in Europe and Asia since the Paleolithic period. Pine nuts are regarded as a delicacy in many cultures around the world. The shelled pine nuts appear like puffed grains of rice. The pine nut is often called the stone pine, because the tree grows well in stony ground.
Attractive planted in a container for the first 4-5 years as your annual Christmas Tree. A stunning specimen tree and it makes an excellent wind-break.
Pine nuts contain about 31 grams of protein per 100 grams of nuts, the highest of any nut or seed. They are also a source of dietary fibre, carbohydrates and high in monounsaturated fats. Pine nuts can be pressed to extract pine nut oil, which is valued both for its mild, nutty flavour and for its purported health benefits such as appetite suppression and antioxidant action.
How to Eat
Eat fresh or sprinkle on pies, salads and in cooking. Pine nuts are an essential component of pesto, and are frequently added to meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. They are in particular used in the Cuisine of south-western France, in dishes such as the salade landaise. They are also used in chocolates and desserts such as baklava.
When mature you could get 5-15kgs of kernels.
Generic Fruiting Time
The tree can tolerate very hot summers.
Will tolerate almost any condition, including salt and are extremely wind tolerant.
They grow best in hot dry summers and cool wet winters
They will grow on almost any soil other than a highly alkaline lime soil.
Place the plant in rich well-drained soil and mulch with organic matter. This is a very hardy plant that will tolerate extreme conditions.
Trees benefit from organic mulch.
Pine trees may be pruned but you have to prune cleanly to healthy branches with good clusters of needles because pines will not re-sprout from bare wood as many deciduous plants will. Never remove any more than 50-60% of the total foliage at any pruning session.
Have very few problems, check for caterpillars and sawfly and may succumb to fungal disease if grown in very wet soil.