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Pine Trees from Seeds #938966

Asked July 12, 2026, 8:16 AM EDT

Last fall I collected red and white pine tree seeds from Itasca State Park hoping someday to have a couple of trees from that park in my yard. I found great info online for collecting and starting pine trees. I succeed and have about 20 infant trees. However, I cannot find information on caring for them, including how to get them through there first Minnesota winter. Do you have any resources you suggest? Thank you for your help

Mahnomen County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning, 

Thanks for your question. 

Great idea to start the trees from seed! I would plant them outside in the fall as the weather cools. Keep them moist so the roots have time to establish before winter. Mulch them with leaves in the late  fall to protect the roots from the cold winter weather. Protect them from critters like deer and bunnies with a chicken wire fence or a tall fence.  

You might consider planting them in a garden bed or area together and then transplanting them in a couple of years when they are a foot or two tall. 

Here is a link about woodland seedlings: https://extension.umn.edu/my-minnesota-woods-news/building-biodiversity-your-forest-native-species

Here is a great link about planting trees and after care: https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs

Here is another link from the MN Dept of Natural Resources about planting tree seedlings: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/woodlot_plant.html

Good Luck!


Maureen Graber Replied July 12, 2026, 9:04 AM EDT

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