Why Pine Nuts?

We’re Chris and Maree, and we live just outside Warkworth on a 17-acre block with our three daughters — aged 1, 4, and 7.

Four years ago, we started planting pine trees. Not just any pine trees — Pinus pinea, the kind that eventually produce pine nuts. They’re slow-growing, drought-hardy, and a little unconventional. Most people plant fruit trees. We’re planting a nut orchard that may take 15–20 years to produce meaningful yields.

Why?

Because we wanted to use our land in a way that made sense for our family — something long-term, resilient, and grounded. We didn’t want to overcommit to stock, and we didn’t have time for fast-rotating crops. But we did want to build something that could quietly grow in the background as our family did the same.

We’ve now planted over 1,500 trees, between 2 and 4 years ago. We’re learning how to space them properly, when and how to prune, how to thin without regret, and how to assess them for long-term health and productivity. It’s slow work — and that’s exactly the point.

We’re documenting the journey here and on our social channels so others can learn from our process (or, just as importantly, avoid our mistakes). Some days are about orchard management. Others are about chasing a lamb through the trees or building a chicken cage from scrap timber. Either way, this is our story — rooted in land, family, and patience.

Thanks for being part of The Pine Nut Family.