Pine nuts are the seed from pine cones and the pine nuts the gentleman’s father cherished were from stone pine (Pinus pinea) trees, which are the pine nuts (pignoles) favored for making pesto. In the United States, pine nuts that are sold commercially usually come from pinyon pine (Pinus edulis), which is native the southwestern United States. Unfortunately, neither of those trees will grow here in the Upper Midwest.

There are, however, many other pine trees that produce edible nuts – the main reason stone pine and pinyon pine are widely used is because they produce large seeds, making them easy to harvest. About twenty species of pine produce seeds large enough that harvesting the nuts is worthwhile. Two pine species that produce edible nuts and grow well in our area are Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) and Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra).

If you want to try your hand at growing your own pine nuts, here are a few factors to consider.

Be patient. Pines, like most conifers, may not produce cones until they are 10 or 15 years old. Planting large container stock or balled and burlapped trees rather than seedlings can provide a jump-start.

Plant several trees of the same species near each other. Pines are not completely self-infertile, but trees that are “selfed” (cones are pollinated with their own pollen) will have poor seed set and many empty seeds. Pines are wind pollinated so allow enough space between trees for air movement to carry pollen between trees.

While I cannot make a specific recommendation, in Delta County you might want to check Chenniers’s Greenhouse in Gladstone. They are currently closed but will open in early May. Their web site is listed here: Chenier's Greenhouse (cheniersgreenhouse.com) with their contact information. They may be able to order you a tree or you may have to order a tree off the Internet.

I hope this information helps.

I am not sure what part of California you are looking into. The USDA plant hardiness zone for Delta County Michigan is 4 or 5 depending how close you are to Lake Michigan. The Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra) will successfully grow in zones 4 to 6. The Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) will successfully grow in zones 4 to 6. The Pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) will successfully grow in zones 6 to 8.

You maybe able to purchase Pinyon pines from the following nurseries.

Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis) in Billings, Montana (MT) at Canyon Creek Nursery

Pinyon Pine | native nut trees for sale | Native Foods Nursery

Pine/ Pinyon - Pine Lane Nursery