Southern Utah University

Table of Contents

Locations

  1. Campus Features

    1. Tree Tour

      1. Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis)

        Latin Name - Pinus edulis
        Height - 10-30 feet
        Spread - 10-30 feet
        Growth Rate - Slow
        USDA Zone - 5-8
        Drought Tolerance - High

        Pinyon pine covers vast areas of the Intermountain West. This fragrant evergreen grows in association with Utah juniper in the Pinyon-Juniper Vegetation Zone, the pinyon predominating at higher elevations, the juniper at lower. An important food source for native peoples, pinyon pine plays important roles in watershed protection and wildlife habitat. It is seldom used in mainstream horticulture because slow growth makes it very expensive to produce in comparison with non-native counterparts. Pinyon pine is a wonderful, waterwise tree for those who have the foresight and patience to include it in their landscapes.