Piñon pine (Pinus edulis) is New Mexico’s state tree. Slow-growing and long-lived, it supports our native ecosystem. Piñons provide cover for many birds year-round, and the piñon jay and the ...

Darr says declining Pinyon Jay populations and ongoing drought conditions are threatening piñon pine populations. She predicts if the birds go extinct, the pines will survive in smaller numbers.

“They are the primary disperser and planter of pinon pine seeds. So without pinyon jays, we don’t have piñon pines,” said Pegg Darr, a New Mexico representative of Defenders of Wildlife.

The “blue crows,” as the jays were once known, are year-round residents of 11 Western states, but New Mexico hosts the largest share, about one-third of their population.

For the tree, for the bird, and for the people, she said, “it would just be tragic for us to lose these woodlands.” Sara Van Note is a print and audio reporter based in New Mexico. More deals ...

Climate change, meaning increased heat and dryness, was a lead threat to the pinyon jay throughout its New Mexico range, read the petition, impact the piñon pine trees the bird feeds on and the ...

The area is rich in diverse tree species, including cork bark, Douglas fir, aspen, piñon pine, blackjack pine, yellow pine, oak, juniper and cedar. Pinon pickers fill their bags alongside State ...

Sep. 19—Tlahuicole Morales Cortes was far up a piñon tree as a pack of people stooped over below him on the ... the New Mexico Legislature officially adopted the piñon pine as the state tree.

The bird is known to extract and bury piñon seeds allowing more of the iconic pine trees to grow. News Sports Autos Entertainment Advertise Obituaries eNewspaper Legals. NEWS.

The bird is known to extract and bury piñon seeds allowing more of the iconic pine trees to grow. BetFTW NFL NBA NHL MLB WNBA Newsletter. NEWS.

The bird is known to extract and bury piñon seeds allowing more of the iconic pine trees to grow. Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.