Pinaceae (Pinus )
Pinus (ponderosa)
Pinaceae
Pine
Pinus
ponderosa
ponderosa pine
PIPO
Excerpt from the Woody Plant Seed Manual and the Native Plant Network General distribution – Ponderosa pine is the most widely distributed pine species in North America, ranging from southern British Columbia to central Mexico and from central Nebraska to the west coast. It can be found at elevations from 200 to 3050 m (700 to 10,000 ft). The general distribution of Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine (var. scopulorum) is from the eastern slope of the northern Rocky Mountains in Montana east to central Nebraska and Kansas and south to eastern Nevada, western Texas, and Mexico. The distribution continues south from Texas into Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potos, Mexico. A broad zone of intergradation exists, between Rocky Mountain and Pacific ponderosa pines in southeastern Idaho and on both sides of the Continental Divide in Montana and Wyoming. Pacific ponderosa pine (var. ponderosa) ranges from southern British Columbia through the mountains of Washington, Oregon, and California.
Seeds
Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.)
seed processing
Excerpt from the Woody Plant Seed Manual: Cones – Ovulate cones mature in 2 years, and are upright, shiny nut-brown, ovoid to oblong, 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in) long and are borne singly or in groups, and bear winged seeds with a body length of 3 to 4 mm (0.11 to 0.15 in) and wing length of up to 15 mm (0.6 in). Trees start bearing cones at 6 to 16 years and can continue to produce seeds for up to 350 years. Good seed crops occur every 4 to 5 years in the Pacific Northwest.
Cones ripen in August and September. Cones can be collected by using ladders, hydraulic lifts, or by climbing trees, usually just before cones open. Cones should be dried quickly after harvest to prevent internal heating, mold development and rapid seed deterioration. Cones are put in burlap or mesh bags.
Pre-Processing – Bags of cones are pre-dried on racks in a well-ventilated indoor storage area. Bags need to be turned to encourage even flaring and prevent mold. Once cones have lost most of their moisture, they are then kiln dried, at 90-110 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-12 hours, until flared. Cones must cool before processing as pitch will stick to the seed and the machines. Processing – *Note: all processing of PIPO must take place in 60-degree temps or less. This includes tumbling, de-winging, screening, and gravity table. This is to ensure that excessive pitch does not accumulate on equipment or the seed. Extraction: Cones are tumbled to extract the seeds. While tumbling screens are used to remove as much pitch-dust as possible. Smaller lots are hand tumbled/sieved. Large lots, more than 10 bushels tumble over an LMC Vibratory Conveyor Model 3626.5 with screens to create separation. Pitch-dust is being removed in the first barrel, seed in the second and third, and cones traveling off the end of the tumbler. De-winging: Seeds are then de-winged using a Mortar/Mixer De-winger with approximately 1 quart of water per tall barrel of seed (approximately 2—3 bushels of seed). It does not take a lot of water. If seed is not de-winged give it more time, not more water. Due to the requirement of water for this species, be sure that it does not sit in barrels and mold. Finishing should happen right after de-winging; as they will generally dry during this process. Finishing: Seeds are then air-screened, using a Clipper Eclipse Model 324. First run: Top screen 32 round, 2nd screen 36 round, 3rd screen 38 round, bottom screen is a blank. The goal of the first run to remove all inert material possible, but not remove any seed. The top screen is scalping needles, cones scales, twigs and the air is focused on removing wings. Screen sizes could vary depending on the seed size and inert material present, but large rounds are used for this run. Second run: Top screen is a 17 round with balls placed in the tray to provide more action, 2nd screen is an 18 round, 3rd screen is also an 18 round, and the bottom screen is a 7 round with balls in the tray for more action. Air is increased for this run 50-80. The goal of this run is to remove smaller inert material and focus on improving the purity and fill of the seed. Screen sizes and air varies by lot. Some smaller lots may be finished at this stage. Note: if seed is not dry at this point it may need to be dried on bread trays. Testing: Due to the wet de-winging process required for this species, make sure that the seed is dry before testing and packaging. This species often may require extra drying. Larger lots may be finished using a Gravity Separator, Oliver Model 30, (speed and air varies by lot), to remove remaining nonviable seed and inert material.
Average Number of Seeds per Pound: 9,329 Average percent purity: 99 Average percent fill: 97 Estimation of PLS/bag: 8,822 *PLS calculated using fill% *This PIPO information comes from 603 processing records at the Bend Seed Extractory from collections seasons 1990 through 2019
Herriman, Kayla . 2024. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.) Pinus ponderosa Seeds seed processing; USDA FS - R6 Bend Seed Extractory Bend, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
