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Pine

Tree
Sow stratified seed in early spring; collect fresh seed in fall
Full sun

Also known as: Pinus · True pine

Varieties

94 types of pine

Advanced Shortleaf Pine

also: Pinus echinata Advanced

Improved shortleaf pine selection for timber and restoration.

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Aleppo Pine

also: Pinus halepensis, Jerusalem Pine

Heat- and drought-tolerant Mediterranean pine.

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Ancient Bristlecone Pine

also: Pinus longaeva

Extremely long-lived high-elevation pine.

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Apache Pine

also: Pinus engelmannii, Arizona Longleaf Pine

Southwestern pine with long, drooping needles.

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Armand Pine

also: Pinus armandii, Chinese White Pine, David's Pine

Chinese white pine with five needles in a loose bundle.

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Aztec Pine

also: Pinus teocote, Teocote, Teocote Pine

Mexican mountain pine with reddish bark and three-needled bundles.

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Aztec Pine

also: Pinus teocote, Teocote, Teocote Pine

Mexican mountain pine with reddish bark and three-needled bundles.

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Balkan Pine

also: Pinus peuce

Balkan endemic five-needle pine.

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Bhutan Pine

also: Pinus wallichiana, Blue Pine, Himalayan White Pine

Himalayan five-needle white pine with long, drooping needles.

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Bhutan Pine

also: Pinus wallichiana, Blue Pine, Himalayan White Pine

Himalayan five-needle white pine with long, drooping needles.

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Bishop Pine

also: Pinus muricata

Coastal California pine with prickly cones.

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Bosnian Pine

also: Pinus heldreichii

Slow-growing compact Balkan pine.

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Bristlecone Pine

also: Pinus aristata, Colorado Bristlecone Pine, Foxtail Pine, Hickory Pine, Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine

Long-lived high-elevation pine with bristle-tipped cones.

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Bull Pine

also: Pinus sabiniana, California Foothill Pine, Digger Pine, Foothills Pine, Gray Pine, Grayleaf Pine, Sabine Pine

California foothill pine with massive cones and gray-green foliage.

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Bull Pine

also: Pinus sabiniana, California Foothill Pine, Digger Pine, Foothills Pine, Gray Pine, Grayleaf Pine, Sabine Pine

California foothill pine with massive cones and gray-green foliage.

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Calabrian Pine

also: Pinus brutia, Brutia Pine, East Mediterranean Pine, Turkish Pine

Eastern Mediterranean pine closely related to Aleppo pine.

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Canary Island Pine

also: Pinus canariensis, Canary Pine

Large, elegant pine from the Canary Islands with long needles.

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Cevennes Pine

also: Pinus nigra ssp. salzmannii

Southwestern European black pine.

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Chilghoza Pine

also: Pinus gerardiana

Himalayan pine grown for large edible seeds.

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Chinese Red Pine

also: Pinus tabuliformis, Southern Chinese Pine

Chinese pine with flat-topped crown, used for timber and ornament.

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Chinese Red Pine

also: Pinus tabuliformis, Southern Chinese Pine

Chinese pine with flat-topped crown, used for timber and ornament.

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Chir Pine

also: Pinus roxburghii, Salli

Himalayan low-elevation pine with long needles, used for resin and timber.

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Chir Pine

also: Pinus roxburghii, Salli

Himalayan low-elevation pine with long needles, used for resin and timber.

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Coastal Loblolly Pine

also: Pinus taeda Coastal

Coastal provenance of loblolly pine adapted to humid conditions.

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Coastal Loblolly Pine

also: Pinus taeda Coastal

Coastal provenance of loblolly pine adapted to humid conditions.

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Colorado Pinyon

also: Pinus edulis, Colorado Pinyon Pine, Pinyon Pine, Two needle Pinyon, Two needle Pinyon Pine

Edible pine nut pine of the southwestern US and Colorado Plateau.

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Cooper Pine

also: Pinus arizonica var. ornelasii, Cooper's Pine

Mexican pine variety from the Sierra Madre Occidental.

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Coulter Pine

also: Pinus coulteri, Big-Cone Pine, Coulter's Pine

California big-cone pine with the largest, heaviest cones of any pine.

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Crimean Pine

also: Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana

Eastern black pine subspecies.

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Dwarf Mugo Pine

also: Pinus mugo var. pumilio

Compact mugo pine for small spaces.

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Eastern White Pine

also: Pinus strobus, Northern White Pine, Soft Pine, Weymouth Pine, White Pine

Tallest native eastern US pine with soft, blue-green needles.

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Eastern White Pine

also: Pinus strobus, Northern White Pine, Soft Pine, Weymouth Pine, White Pine

Tallest native eastern US pine with soft, blue-green needles.

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Foxtail Pine

also: Pinus balfouriana

High-elevation California and Oregon pine with dense, foxtail-like foliage.

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Gaoshan Pine

also: Pinus densata, Sikang Pine

High-elevation Himalayan pine, a stable hybrid species.

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Greggs Pine

also: Pinus greggii

Mexican pine used for timber and reforestation.

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Guadalupe Island Pine

also: Pinus radiata var. binata

Rare insular variety of Monterey pine from Guadalupe Island, Mexico.

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Guadalupe Island Pine

also: Pinus radiata var. binata

Rare insular variety of Monterey pine from Guadalupe Island, Mexico.

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Huangshan Pine

also: Pinus hwangshanensis

Chinese mountain pine with picturesque form.

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Improved Loblolly Pine

also: Pinus taeda Improved

Select bred loblolly pine for improved form and growth rate.

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Improved Loblolly Pine

also: Pinus taeda Improved

Select bred loblolly pine for improved form and growth rate.

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Improved Shortleaf Pine

also: Pinus echinata Improved

Select shortleaf pine variety bred for form and disease resistance.

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Improved Virginia Pine

also: Pinus virginiana Improved

Select bred Virginia pine for form and disease resistance.

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Improved Virginia Pine

also: Pinus virginiana Improved

Select bred Virginia pine for form and disease resistance.

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Jack Pine

also: Pinus banksiana, Black Pine, Gray Pine, Scrub Pine

Boreal North American pine with twisted needles and serotinous cones.

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Japanese Black Pine

also: Pinus thunbergii

Coastal East Asian pine with dark, rugged bark and two-needled bundles.

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Japanese Black Pine

also: Pinus thunbergii

Coastal East Asian pine with dark, rugged bark and two-needled bundles.

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Japanese Red Pine

also: Pinus densiflora

East Asian ornamental pine with reddish, flaky bark.

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Khasi Pine

also: Pinus kesiya

Southeast Asian timber and resin pine.

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Knobcone Pine

also: Pinus attenuata

Fire-adapted West Coast pine with serotinous cones.

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Korean Pine

also: Pinus koraiensis, Chinese Pinenut

Cold-hardy pine with large edible nuts.

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Lacebark Pine

also: Pinus bungeana, Bunge's Pine

Chinese pine famous for mottled, exfoliating bark.

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Lawsons Pine

also: Pinus lawsonii

Mexican pine from the Sierra Madre Oriental.

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Limber Pine

also: Pinus flexilis, Rocky Mountain White Pine

Cold-hardy high-elevation pine with edible nuts.

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Loblolly Pine

also: Pinus taeda

Fast-growing southeastern US timber and pulp pine.

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Loblolly Pine

also: Pinus taeda

Fast-growing southeastern US timber and pulp pine.

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Lodgepole Pine

also: Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Sierra Lodgepole Pine

Inland mountain lodgepole pine with straight trunk and persistent cones.

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Longleaf Pine

also: Pinus palustris

Southeastern native restoration pine.

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Maritime Pine

also: Pinus pinaster

Mediterranean resin and timber pine.

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Massons Pine

also: Pinus massoniana

Chinese resin and timber pine.

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Monterey Pine

also: Pinus radiata

Fast-growing California coastal timber pine.

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Mountain Pine

also: Pinus mugo var. rostrata

Tree-form mugo pine.

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Mugo Pine

also: Pinus mugo var. mughus

Low bushy mountain pine for rock gardens.

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Ocala Sand Pine

also: Pinus clausa Ocala, Sand Pine

Florida scrub pine variety from the Ocala region.

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Oocarpa Pine

also: Pinus oocarpa

Mexican and Central American timber pine.

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Piedmont Loblolly Pine

also: Pinus taeda Piedmont

Piedmont provenance of loblolly pine for upland sites.

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Piedmont Loblolly Pine

also: Pinus taeda Piedmont

Piedmont provenance of loblolly pine for upland sites.

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Pond Pine

also: Pinus serotina, Marsh Pine, Pocosin Pine

Southeastern wetland pine that holds closed cones until fire opens them.

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Pond Pine

also: Pinus serotina, Marsh Pine, Pocosin Pine

Southeastern wetland pine that holds closed cones until fire opens them.

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Pyramidal Austrian Pine

also: Pinus nigra var. pyramidalis

Columnar form of Austrian pine.

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Scots Pine

also: Pinus sylvestris, Scotch Pine

Widespread Eurasian pine with orange bark and blue-green needles.

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Scots Pine

also: Pinus sylvestris, Scotch Pine

Widespread Eurasian pine with orange bark and blue-green needles.

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Shore Pine

also: Pinus contorta var. contorta, Beach Pine

Coastal Pacific Northwest variety of lodgepole pine, often shrubby.

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Simao Pine

also: Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis

Yunnan variety of Khasi pine.

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Single-leaf Pinyon

also: Pinus monophylla

Desert pinyon with edible nuts.

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Slash Pine

also: Pinus elliottii

Fast-growing southern timber pine.

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Smooth-bark Mexican Pine

also: Pinus pseudostrobus

Mexican pine with smooth bark.

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Southwestern White Pine

also: Pinus strobiformis, Border Pine, Chihuahua White Pine

Five-needle white pine of southwestern US and Mexico mountains.

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Southwestern White Pine

also: Pinus strobiformis, Border Pine, Chihuahua White Pine

Five-needle white pine of southwestern US and Mexico mountains.

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Spruce Pine

also: Pinus glabra

Southeastern pine with soft, spruce-like foliage.

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Sugar Pine

also: Pinus lambertiana

Worlds largest pine with huge cones.

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Table Mountain Pine

also: Pinus pungens

Appalachian pine with prickly cones.

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Taiwan Red Pine

also: Pinus taiwanensis

Taiwan mountain pine with reddish bark and two-needled bundles.

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Taiwan Red Pine

also: Pinus taiwanensis

Taiwan mountain pine with reddish bark and two-needled bundles.

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Tecun Uman Pine

also: Pinus tecunumanii, Ocote de Caretilla, Pinabete, Pino Ocote, Schwerdtfeger's Pine

Central American timber pine from Guatemala and southern Mexico.

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Tecun Uman Pine

also: Pinus tecunumanii, Ocote de Caretilla, Pinabete, Pino Ocote, Schwerdtfeger's Pine

Central American timber pine from Guatemala and southern Mexico.

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Thinleaf Pine

also: Pinus maximinoi

Central American fast-growing timber pine.

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Turkish Black Pine

also: Pinus nigra Turkey

Heat-tolerant black pine provenance.

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Virginia Pine

also: Pinus virginiana, Jersey Pine, Scrub Pine

Small to medium eastern US pine often used for reforestation and Christmas trees.

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Virginia Pine

also: Pinus virginiana, Jersey Pine, Scrub Pine

Small to medium eastern US pine often used for reforestation and Christmas trees.

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Washoe Pine

also: Pinus washoensis

Rare pine of the Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin.

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Washoe Pine

also: Pinus washoensis

Rare pine of the Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin.

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Western White Pine

also: Pinus monticola

Northwestern five-needle white pine.

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Yunnan Pine

also: Pinus yunnanensis

Chinese mountain pine with two-needled bundles, important for timber.

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Yunnan Pine

also: Pinus yunnanensis

Chinese mountain pine with two-needled bundles, important for timber.

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When & where

Season
Sow stratified seed in early spring; collect fresh seed in fall
USDA zones
Varies by species — check nursery source for your zone
Sun
Full sun
Start indoors
After stratification, start in deep pots 8–12 weeks before transplant
Direct sow outdoors
Fall sowing works in cool zones (natural stratification)
Days to harvest
Ornamental / long-lived — see variety

Germination

Germination time
20–60 days after stratification
Soil temperature
60–75°F (15–24°C)

Spacing & depth

Sow depth
1/4–1/2" (6–12 mm)
Seed spacing
Space in flats or direct-sow rows
Mature plant spacing
Per species
Row spacing
Per species

How to plant

Cold-moist stratify seed 30–60 days (some species up to 90) or fall-sow outdoors. Sow in deep pots to accommodate the taproot. Keep moist but not soggy and provide bright light after germination.

Pre-sow treatment

Cold stratification

Cold-moist stratification 30–90 days before sowing improves germination.

Grower's tip

Most conifers grow best from fresh seed; viability drops quickly if seed dries out.

Soil preferences

Soil type

Deep, well-drained native soil. Avoid amending the planting hole heavily — roots should learn to grow into the surrounding earth.

pH range

5.5–7.5 depending on species (conifers lean acidic; most hardwoods neutral).

Amendments

Top-dress with compost and mulch in a wide ring; don't backfill with pure compost.

Watering

Frequency

Deep soak weekly the first two years while roots establish; taper once the tree self-supports.

Method

Slow trickle at the drip line, not the trunk. A 5-gal bucket with a pinhole is ideal.

Over vs. under

Overwatered: yellowing, root rot, mushroom collar. Underwatered: leaf scorch, early leaf drop.

Top-water or bottom-water?

Prefers top-watering — Trees are always top-watered — deep slow soak at the drip line, never at the trunk. Bottom-watering only makes sense for nursery seedlings.

Temperature tolerance

Ideal daytime air temp

Broad — most species tolerate 40–90°F once established

Ideal nighttime air temp

Down to species-rated USDA zone minimum

Frost sensitivity

Hardy once established; young seedlings need protection their first winter.

Special germination requirements

Most temperate tree seed needs cold stratification (30–120+ days at 34–41°F) — see each species entry for the exact time.

Container growing

Container-suitable?

Possible with the right cultivar

Recommended pot size

Deep tree pots (root trainers) for the first 1–2 seasons; permanent site required for full growth.

Notes

Only dwarf, patio, or bonsai forms live long-term in containers.

Detailed harvesting

Not applicable for ornamental/timber trees. Nut and fruit species — pick when they drop naturally.

Post-harvest storage & preservation

Nuts: keep damp and cool, sow promptly. Winged/coned seed: dry, cool, dark in a sealed jar.

Culinary, medicinal & other uses

Shade, windbreak, wildlife habitat, timber, ornament, and long-term carbon storage.

Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.

Seed saving

Pollination

Wind- or insect-pollinated; seedlings rarely match the parent exactly (especially named cultivars — those must be grafted or cutting-grown).

Isolation needs

Not practical for trees. Expect variation.

How to save

Collect fully ripe seed in fall, clean, dry or keep damp per species, then cold-stratify before spring sowing.

Your zone's planting calendar

Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for pine in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.

From your kitchen — grow pine from what you already have

Trees usually mean patience — collect fully ripe seed in fall, clean pulp off, and give most species a cold winter (real or in the fridge) before they'll germinate.

  1. 1Collect ripe seed/nuts/cones in autumn from a healthy parent.
  2. 2Clean off any fleshy pulp; dry cones warm to release seed.
  3. 3Cold-stratify in a bag of damp sand or peat in the fridge (34–41°F) for the time listed on the species.
  4. 4Sow in deep tree pots and grow on 1–2 seasons before planting to a permanent spot.

Storage: Most tree seed keeps 1–3 years cool and dry; oak/hickory/chestnut nuts must stay damp and be sown promptly.

My Pine notes

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