Stone Pine

The Stone Pine (Pinus pinea; family Pinaceae) is a species of pine native of the north Mediterranean coast, primarily the Iberian Peninsula. This tree has been exploited for its edible pine nuts since prehistoric times. Currently, it is also a widespread horticultural tree, besides 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. The bark is thick, red-brown and deeply fissured into broad vertical plates. The flexible green needles are in bundles of two, and are 10-20 cm long (exceptionally up to 30 cm). The cones are broad ovoid, 8-15 cm long, and take 36 months to mature, longer than any other pine. The seeds (pine nuts, piñones or pignoli) are large, 2cm long, pale brown with a powdery black coating which rubs off easily, and have a rudimantary 5mm wing which falls off very easily. The wing is ineffective for wind dispersal, and the seeds are animal-dispersed, originally mainly by the Azure-winged Magpie, but in recent history, very largely by Humans.

The original range Stone Pine was probably only in Portugal and Spain, but it has been cultivated extensively for at least 6,000 years for the edible seeds. Since early historic times, the seeds have been trade items. It now occurs not only throughout the Mediterranean region, but is also in other areas with Mediterranean climates. It is naturalised in South Africa (where it is listed as an invasive species) and commonly planted in California, Australia, and western Europe north to southern Scotland. Small specimens are grown in large planters or are used for Bonsai, and year-old seedlings are also widely sold as 20-30 cm tall table-top christmas trees.

The Stone Pine has also been called Italian Stone Pine, European Nut Pine, Umbrella Pine and Parasol Pine. It has also occasionally been listed under the invalid name Pinus sativa.