Pinus pinea

RHS Plant Profile
stone pine

Other common names

Italian stone pine, umbrella pine

Award of Garden Merit
Conifers Trees

An evergreen conifer making a round-topped evergreen tree with stiff, dark green needles to 15cm long. Cones rounded-ovoid, to 15cm long, shiny light brown. It will reach 15-20m when fully mature

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
more than 50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Pinus can be shrubs or large, evergreen trees, some species with attractive bark, developing an irregular outline with age and bearing long needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5; conspicuous cones may fall or remain on the tree for years
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mediterranean

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grown in any well-drained soil in full sun. See Trees: buying and planting specimens

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring after the cones have ripened over three years. Chilling the seeds for three weeks may aid germination

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids, conifer aphid, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moth

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases