About
Pinus pinea, the stone pine, is a distinctive, umbrella-crowned, evergreen conifer ultimately reaching 15�20 m, recognised by its flat-topped silhouette above a long, clean trunk. Stiff, dark-green, paired needles to 15 cm long and large, rounded-ovoid, shiny light-brown cones to 15 cm long containing large, edible pine nuts are characteristic. A beautiful and productive ornamental pine for a well-drained, sunny garden.
About the genus
Pinus, the pines, are evergreen coniferous trees or shrubs � some with attractive bark � developing an irregular crown with age and bearing long, needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5. Conspicuous cones may fall or persist on the tree for years. Among the most widely grown of all ornamental conifers.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeConifers, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal
Native toMediterranean
Care notes
CultivationGrown in any well-drained soil in full sun. See Trees: buying and planting specimens
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed in spring after the cones have ripened over three years. Chilling the seeds for three weeks may aid germination
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to adelgids, conifer aphid, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moth
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases