Pinus pinea

Common Name:
Stone Pine, Italian Stone Pine, Umbrella Pine

Description:
Pinus pinea, commonly known as the Stone Pine or Italian Stone Pine, is a distinctive evergreen conifer prized for its broad, umbrella-shaped canopy and edible pine nuts. This slow-growing tree features a straight trunk with reddish-brown bark that becomes deeply fissured with age. The long, dark green needles form a dense, rounded crown, making it an excellent shade tree. It thrives in well-drained soils and full sun, tolerating coastal conditions, drought, and poor soils once established. Pinus pinea is widely used in Mediterranean-style landscapes, parks, and large gardens, providing both ornamental beauty and a valuable food source.

Form:

• Tree - Large

Mature Size:

• Height: 12–25 metres
• Width: 8–15 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun

Flowering:

• Produces cones rather than flowers (takes several years to mature)

Flower Colour:

• N/A (produces yellow male cones and reddish female cones in spring)

Key Attributes:

• Edible Pine Nuts
• Drought Tolerant Once Established
• Suitable for Coastal Conditions
• Shade Providing
• Low Maintenance

Toxicity:

• Non-toxic to humans and pets (pine nuts are edible)

Companion Plants:

• Olea europaea (Olive)
• Lavandula (Lavender)
• Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
• Agave species
• Quercus suber (Cork Oak)