The Italian Stone Pine, also known as the Pine Nut Tree or Umbrella Pine, is a striking evergreen conifer native to the Mediterranean. Famous for its broad, umbrella-like crown and nut-bearing cones, this tree is both ornamental and productive.
Its seeds yield the delicious pine nuts used in gourmet dishes such as pesto and baked goods. With its distinct silhouette, silvery bark, and aromatic needles, it brings Mediterranean charm to any garden or landscape.
This hardy species grows slowly at first but rewards patience with beauty, longevity, and delicious harvests for decades.
Features
- Produces edible pine nuts prized for culinary use.
- Grows into a majestic umbrella-shaped tree with silvery bark.
- Evergreen foliage adds year-round beauty and fragrance.
- Drought-tolerant once established.
- Ideal for bonsai, containers, or landscape planting.
- Non-GMO, naturally grown seeds.
Specifications
- Scientific Name: Pinus pinea
- Common Names: Italian Stone Pine, Umbrella Pine, Pine Nut Tree
- Tree Type: Evergreen conifer
- Mature Height: 30–60 ft (9–18 m)
- Mature Spread: 30–50 ft (9–15 m)
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Light Requirements: Full sun
- Soil Type: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil
- Soil pH: 6.0–8.0
- Water Needs: Moderate (drought tolerant once mature)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 8–11
- Temperature Range: 20–100°F (-6–38°C)
- Cones Mature In: 2–3 years
- GMO Status: Non-GMO
Planting Guide
- Soak seeds in warm water for 24–48 hours before planting.
- Cold stratify for 30–60 days in moist sand or paper towel in the refrigerator (optional but improves germination).
- Plant seeds ½–1 inch deep in sandy, well-drained soil.
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Place in full sunlight and protect young seedlings from frost.
- Transplant outdoors once trees are 6–12 inches tall and weather is warm.
Care Tips
- Water regularly during the first few years.
- Apply a light balanced fertilizer in early spring.
- Prefers warm, dry climates and good air circulation.
- Prune lightly to shape the canopy as it matures.
- Great for coastal, Mediterranean, or arid landscapes.
