Stone Pine
Pinus pinea
With an interesting mature umbrella-like shape, the Italian stone pine is a dominant feature in the Mediterranean landscape—a slow and steady grower, well worth the wait. The seedlings are blue-green and spruce like for a few years before the adult needles develop which are long and dark green.
Given its natural habitat, the stone pine makes a great choice for warmer coastal and dry inland climates in Australia.
A popular choice with edible and delicious seeds or ‘pine nuts’.
Stone pine seedlings in the nursery with juvenile foliage
Origin and climate
Stone pines inhabit the entire Mediterranean region. They thrive in warm and temperate to semi-arid conditions with mild winters. These trees are famous around Italy for their umbrella shape often seen on the skyline.
Growth
Height: mature 15 - 25 meters
Ideal Growth Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil, drought and salt tolerant.
Attributes: arched, umbrella-like shape, grey-green growth fading to vibrant green-yellow. cones broad ovoid, with greenish seeds and edible pine nuts.
Tending and care
The Stone pine is easy to care for, and is suitable for warmer or coastal climates. This variety does well on near neutral pH soils and well drained sites and will tolerate drought and heat well.
Uses: Ornamental for gardens, pine nut harvest, timber, pine nuts are very popular with parrots such as black cockatoos