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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Pinus (lambertiana)

Kayla Herriman
Manager
USDA FS - R6 Bend Seed Extractory
63095 Deschutes Market Road
Bend, Oregon 97701
kayla.herriman@usda.gov
http://fsweb-ochdes.r6.fs.fed.us/seedextractory/ex

Family Scientific Name: Pinaceae
Family Common Name: Pine
Scientific Name: Pinus lambertiana
Common Name: sugar pine
Species Code: PILA
General Distribution: Found in the Sierra Nevada to Cascade and Klamath Mountains. Found in California to Oregon and east into Nevada.
Propagation Goal: Seeds
Propagation Method: Seed
ProductType: Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.)
Stock Type: seed processing
Propagule Collection: 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, with no more than one bushel per bag. Do not overfill or compensate for voids in the bushel basket with extra cones.
Propagule Processing: Pre-Processing – Cones can be opened by placing in a warm drying shed for several days or by placing them in a kiln 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 20 hours. Cones must cool before processing as pitch will stick to the seed and the machines.

Processing – *Note: all processing of PILA 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. Mixer if filled with approximately 3/4 barrel of seed for 6-8 minutes.

Finishing: Seeds are then air-screened, using a Clipper Eclipse Model 324. First run: Top screen 24 to 32 round with balls in the tray for increased action, 2nd screen 30 to 36 round, 3rd screen 28 to 38 round, bottom screen is a 7 round. The air is set at 90 but could vary depending on the lot. Screen sizes could vary depending on the seed size and inert material present, but large rounds are used for this run. Generally, there is no second run needed.
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, and possibly pitch if it remains.

Other Comments: Average Number of Seeds per Pound: 1,559
Average percent purity: 99
Average percent fill: 95
Estimation of PLS/bag: 1,397 *PLS calculated using fill%
*This PILA information comes from 114 processing records at the Bend Seed Extractory from collections seasons 1990 through 2019.

Citation:

Herriman, Kayla . 2023. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.) Pinus lambertiana Seeds seed processing; USDA FS - R6 Bend Seed Extractory Bend, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.