Pine Nuts

I started stratifying seeds for planting this spring. The seeds of many species require a cool-moist cycle before germinating.  Sixty days at 40 degrees is the default but some species require double stratification or other unusual schedules.  Some fruit breeders (Rom, Forsline) believe that long stratification cycles are indicative of late spring budding, indicating that one could sort for resistance to spring frosts by planting only those seeds that take longest to break seed dormancy.

I thought a few pictures of some pine seeds might be interesting.  These seeds are eye-poppingly large to an mid-Western guy who is used to Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus).

Korean Nut Pine.  Inexpensive seedlings available HERE.

Jeffrey Pine from Sierra Nevada mountains

Lacebark Pine from China