Pinus pinea (Stone Pine, or Umbrella Pine)


Michael's Opinion

I wish I could grow this tree in Southern Ontario as I love its broad, bold form when grown in the open and alone as pictured here growing along the shoreline of southern Portugal.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPinus
Speciespinea
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height12-25 m
Spread10-20 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodApril

Description and Growing Information

ShapeGlobe to broad umbrella-like at maturity.
HabitatThe Mediterranean region in Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Levant.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe bark is thick, red-brown and deeply fissured into broad vertical plates.
Leaf DescriptionThe flexible mid-green leaves are needle-like, in fascicles of two, and are 10-20 cm long. Young trees up to 5-10 years old bear juvenile leaves, which are very different, single (not paired), 2-4 cm long and glaucous blue-green.
Fruit DescriptionThe cones are broad ovoid, 8-15 cm long, and take 36 months to mature, longer than any other pine. The seeds are large, 2 cm long, pale brown with a powdery black coating that rubs off easily, and have a rudimentary 4-8 mm wing that falls off very early after dispersion.

Photographs