Pinon Nut Information – Where Do Pinon Nuts Come From

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener What are pinon nuts and where do pinon nuts come from? Pinon trees are small pine trees that grow in the warm climates of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and Utah, and are sometimes found as far north as Idaho. Native stands of pinon trees are often found growing alongside junipers. The nuts found in the cones of pinon trees are actually seeds, which are highly valued not only by people, but by birds and other wildlife. Read on to learn more about pinon nut uses. Pinon Nut Information According to New Mexico State University Extension, the tiny, brown pinon nuts (pronounced pin-yon) saved early explorers from almost certain starvation. NMSU also notes that pinon was critical to Native Americans, who used all parts of the tree. The nuts were a major food source and the wood was used for building

Read this article