Species stone pine
trees with black-gray, woody stems and green foliage

stone pine

Pinus pinea

Pinus pinea is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the Mediterranean region, commonly known as Stone Pine. It has a distinctive "umbrella" shape and wide-spreading branches with blue-green needles. The trunk is covered with numerous plates of rough, scaly bark. The edible brown pine nuts are gathered from the cones. This species requires protection from cold temperatures and prefers full sun and sandy or rocky soils. It is popularly used as an ornamental tree in parks and other areas where its unique shape and attractive foliage make it a focal point. It makes an excellent windbreak and can be used to add privacy to a garden. Stone pine is truly an eye-catching and spectacular addition to any landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Budding

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Cones:

Yes

Edible:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Stone pine should be watered about once a week during the summer months. During the winter, watering should be reduced to only when the soil becomes dry, usually about every 2-3 weeks. When watering, the soil should be thoroughly saturated and allowed to drain. Never let the soil become soggy or waterlogged.

sunlight

Stone pine, or Pinus pinea, grows best in an area where it will receive direct sunlight throughout the day. Depending on the season, this will usually be between 4 and 8 hours each day. Generally, it should receive fewer hours of direct sunlight in the summer than it does in the winter, which helps to avoid any burn from the heat the sunshine can bring. Additionally, it should receive some protection from strong winds, as they can stunt the growth of the tree.

pruning

Stone pines should be pruned during the late winter or early spring to remove any diseased, damaged, or dead branches. It’s also important to remove any new growth, especially sprouts, that form near the base of the tree. Prune out any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other in order to promote better air circulation. Stone pines can tolerate a fair amount of pruning, but avoid removing more than 1-third of the plant’s foliage in any 1 year.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Stone pine typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map