Stone Pine Data Sheet

• Common name: Stone pine

• Latin name: Pinus pinea

• Genus: Pinus

• Height: 20 m (66 ft)

• Type: Evergreen

• Hardiness: Zone 7–11

• Conservation status: Least concern

Pinus Pinea, commonly known as the Stone pine, Parasol pine or the Umbrella pine, is an evergreen conifer native to southern Europe including Spain and Portugal. Its range also extends across the Canary Isle, Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

This tree is generally found at low to medium altitudes, mostly from 200 m (650 ft) to 1,300 m (4,260 ft).

The Stone pine is a small to medium tree, reaching a height of 20 m (66 ft). The bark is scaly with a pale brown-orange colour. The needles are a medium green colour, arranged on the branch in pairs and grow to 20 cm long. The cones are oval and grow to 15 cm long. Young cones are green, maturing to a dark chestnut brown. Ripening of the cones takes 36 months. Each cone scale hides a large winged pine nut (seed).

The Stone pine is closely related to the Swiss stone pine, which shares many of its characteristics.

Stone pines are widely grown for pine nuts. This tree makes a fantastic landscape tree, is used for large planters, as a tabletop Christmas tree and for bonsai.

Pre Germination

These seeds need no pretreatment or stratification before sowing. Fill trays or pots with quality compost and firm down gently. Spread seeds across the surface; around 5 in a 10 cm pot is ideal. Cover with 3 mm of compost and gently firm down.

Keep compost damp, not soaking wet or dried out. Place pots or trays on a warm windowsill or in a warm conservatory. Germination should occur at 1–3 weeks.

Post Germination

Once seedlings appear, keep them in a well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of damping off disease. Place in a bright location such as a windowsill. Ensure seedlings never dry out. Water logging should also be avoided; young trees hate wet feet. Stone pine seedlings are XXL large and sturdy, and will give you little hassle. They can be separated into their own 4" pots at 15–20 weeks; by this stage they are frost hardy and can stay outside all year. Fertilization is not required up to this point. During spring and summer we advise using an NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer every 4 weeks.

CAUTION: Slugs and snails love juicy young pines and spruce. Prime dining for mice and rats.

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