Pinyon pine is a slow-growing evergreen tree, reaching 20 to 35 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. It has a bushy, irregular form. Medium-length needles are green to yellow-green. Cones are small, roundish, and brown with edible seeds, coveted by birds and cooks. There are several examples of this Utah native planted at the Greater Avenues Water Conservation Demonstration Garden.
Grow in full sun and in well drained soil. Tolerant of shallow, rocky soils, and alkaline soils; is not tolerant of wet soils. It is very drought tolerant once established, though periodic summer irrigation will keep it at its best. Closely related to P. monophylla (Singleleaf Pinyon), which is slightly more heat and drought tolerant.