Sugar Pine Tree Seeds (Pinus lambertiana)
Sugar Pine Tree Seeds (Pinus lambertiana)
Sky-reaching giant. Sweet by name, legendary by nature.
Pinus lambertiana, the Sugar Pine, stands as the tallest and most massive of all pine species—a living monument of the American West. Revered for its towering form, enormous cones, and soft bluish-green needles, this iconic Sierra Nevada native has long been admired for both its beauty and resilience. Its sweet resin once prized by Indigenous peoples gives the tree its name, and its presence commands awe in every landscape.
- Native to the Sierra Nevada and high mountain ranges of the western U.S.
- Bears the longest pine cones in the world—reaching up to 20 inches
- Tall, straight trunk with soft, flexible, blue-green needles
- Excellent for reforestation, windbreaks, or as a striking legacy specimen
Growing Details
Botanical Name: Pinus lambertiana
Stratification: Required (30–60 days cold stratification)
USDA Zones: 5–8
Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic mountain soils
Light: Full sun
Height: 150–200+ feet
Spread: 25–40 feet
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Plant it to touch the sky—majestic, enduring, and steeped in mountain legacy.
FAQ
Where does the Sugar Pine grow best?
It thrives in cool, mountainous regions with well-drained, slightly acidic soils—especially in the Sierra Nevada and Pacific Northwest.
How long does it take for a Sugar Pine to mature?
Sugar Pines are slow to moderate growers, taking several decades to reach their full height—but their longevity makes them a true legacy tree.
Why is it called the “Sugar Pine”?
Its resin has a naturally sweet flavor, which was traditionally enjoyed by Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada region.
Related Seeds
- Colorado Blue Spruce Tree Seeds — Iconic western evergreen with silvery-blue needles
- Ponderosa Pine Tree Seeds — Rugged, sun-loving pine with vanilla-scented bark
- Douglas Fir Tree Seeds — Fast-growing conifer for reforestation and legacy planting
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for rare, resilient, and high-germination tree seeds. Each order is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with full planting instructions.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
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