Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Family: Pinaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Pinus ponderosa is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in oil, the seed has a slightly resinous flavour. — Inner bark - raw or cooked.; Best harvested in the spring.; The inner bark can be eaten fresh, but is more often dried, ground into a powder and either used as a thickener in soups or is mixed with flour for making bread etc.; Seed - raw or cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Found in a variety of soils from sea level to 2800 metres, though mainly inland and in drier areas. The best growth is from trees growing in deep well-drained soils. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)