How to Start Growing Pine Trees From Scratch

Pine seeds are housed within pine cones.

To plant pine trees from scratch, you will need to spend some time outside looking for pine seeds. If you already have pine trees on your property, you should be able to find seeds. Otherwise, you will need to venture into the forest to find pine seeds. As you look for seeds, remember that they are vital to the forest's ecosystem, creating trees and providing food for animals. So, do not try to hoard as many seeds as possible. Alternatively, you can purchase seeds from a garden supply store.

Things You'll Need

• 10-gallon bucket
• Water
• Pine seeds
• Planters
• Potting soil

Instructions

1. 

   Pine seeds are located in the scales of pine cones.

   Search the ground around pine trees for pine-cone scales or pine cones with scales still attached. You will need to look specifically for female pine cones, which will be larger than their male counterparts.

2. 

   Gather seeds that float to the top in water.

   Put the seeds in a bucket of water to find out which ones float. These will be the seeds that are most likely to be successful in planting.

3. Plant the scales vertically, seed down, into potting soil using small planters. Plant the scales just below the surface of the soil. Keep the plants indoors until they are ready for transplanting.

4. Water the seeds thoroughly to keep the soil moist but not drenched.

5. Transplant the plants outdoors once they have grown six to 12 inches.

References

• DesertMud: Grow a Pine Tree from Seed
• Gardening Know How: How to Grow a Pine Tree From Seed