Pinus pinea




Italian stone pine is a species native of southern Europe, primarily the Iberian Peninsula.

This tree has been overused for its edible pine nuts since prehistoric times. Currently, it is a widespread horticultural tree, in addition to being cultivated for the seeds.

The Stone Pine can exceed 25 m height, though is usually rather less tall, 12-20 m being more normal. It has a very characteristic shape, with a short trunk and very broad, smoothly rounded to nearly flat crown. 

Bark is thick, red-brown and deeply fissured into broad vertical plates. 

Leaves are needle-like, in bundles of two, and are 10-20 cm long (exceptionally up to 30 cm).


One of the pine trees that seems to be able to grow and do well in a variety of soils, even dry allkaline soils.


For more information on this wonderful tree that you can plant even in alkaline soil after Christmas, read the December DIRT online here at http://www.dirtdoctor.com/.  Not a Ground Crew member? You can join online.  CLICK for more information.