Italian Stone Pine

(Pinus pinea)

Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Pinus pinea, commonly known as Italian Stone Pine, is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region, including Southern Europe and parts of Western Asia and North Africa. It thrives in coastal areas and on sandy plains where it forms a part of the Mediterranean forest, woodland, and scrub biome. Typically, Italian Stone Pine reaches a height of 12–20 meters (40–65 feet), with mature specimens exceeding 25 meters (80 feet). The tree’s growth stages are distinct; it starts as a bushy globe, develops into an umbrella-shaped canopy on a thick trunk in mid-age, and finally matures into a broad, flat crown that can extend over 8 meters (26 feet) in width. The bark is thick, red-brown, and deeply fissured, forming broad vertical plates.

Italian Stone Pine is valued for its picturesque form and the production of pine nuts, which are a culinary delicacy. The tree’s umbrella-like silhouette makes it a popular choice for ornamental planting in gardens, parks, and urban landscapes. It is also used in coastal and windbreak plantings due to its tolerance to sea winds. Italian Stone Pine requires full sun and can tolerate low to medium water conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It prefers well-drained soils and is adaptable to different soil types, provided they are not waterlogged. While it has a relatively slow growth rate, it is long-lived and requires minimal maintenance once established. However, gardeners should be aware of its potential to become invasive outside its native range, and its susceptibility to pests such as the pine processionary moth.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Tree
  • Height: 40-60 feet
  • Width: 20-40 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: N/A
  • Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Low, Medium
  • Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to the Mediterranean region, including Southern Europe and parts of Western Asia and North Africa, thriving in coastal areas and sandy plains within the Mediterranean forest, woodland, and scrub biome

Other Names

Common Names: Umbrella Pine , Pignolia-Nut Pine , Stone Pine , Parasol Pine , Schirmkiefer , Pinie , Italienische Steinkiefer , Pino Manso , Pino Piñonero , Pino Real

Scientific Names: Pinus pinea , Pinus maderiensis , Apinus pinea , Pinea esculenta , Pinus africana , Pinus aracanensis , Pinus arctica , Pinus esculenta , Pinus fastuosa , Pinus fragilis

GBIF Accepted Name: Pinus pinea L.