Pinus pinea

Native range: Mediterranean, probably originating from Spain Height: 10-20 m Width: 6-15 m Flowering: Spring Fruiting: Winter Light: Full sun Growth rate: Moderate to slow Soils: Free-draining loam and sandy loam soils Drought tolerance: High Landscape position:  Rainfall range: 450 – 850 mm Benefits: Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), also known as the Umbrella Pine, is a conifer often seen as a statuesque feature tree across the Mediterranean, and it is also the source of highly nutritious edible pine nuts. It is a tall, slow growing, extremely drought and cold tolerant pine, with a medium lifespan of around 100 years. They will grow on most soils but prefer light soils and will not tolerate waterlogged or very wet soils. Young trees are round to conical in form, with the trunk only developing in adulthood. Mature trees have a flat-topped, dense canopy with a single stem, resembling umbrellas. The bark is an attractive reddish-brown to grey with flaking plates. The form and canopy cover of Italian Stone Pine make them excellent street, parkland and landscaping trees, and they are not too large for most domestic gardens. They can be used in shelterbelt plantings, providing good wind speed reduction and shade. Australia currently imports all its pine nuts, and the local industry is in an emergent state. Pine nuts offer a highly nutritious, high-value crop for regions with temperate climates with low water use. Drawbacks: Long lead time of 10- 15 years to produce crop and site selection is critical. Cones take three years to mature. Seed predation by cockatoos can be problematic. Uses: Ornamental and landscaping use in parklands and gardens Shelterbelts Pine nut production Propagation:  From seed or by grafting. Many pine species produce edible pine nuts. Be sure to source appropriate species and stock if growing a crop. Weed risk: Low Future climate risks:  Low fertilisation during heatwaves due to pollen desiccation. Increase of disease and insect attack die to uneven climate.  References Australian Pine Nut Strategic RD&E Plan (2022- 2032) – https://shorturl.at/hltVW Australian Taste Pine Nuts – https://atpn.com.au/ GBIF: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (2022) – https://www.gbif.org INC International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (2019) – https://shorturl.at/bcpOZ Permaculture Plants: Pine Trees for Pine Nuts – https://shorturl.at/rz257 Plants for a Future - Pinus pinea – https://shorturl.at/hAOW2 Image credits: By S. Rae from Scotland, UK - Pinus pinea - cone, CC BY 2.0, https://shorturl.at/rIS56 By Nacho Pintos from Barcelona - Doñana, CC BY 2.0, https://shorturl.at/gmIN7 By Luis Fernández García  - Pinus pinea conos - CC BY-SA 2.1 es, https://shorturl.at/nuNW7 By Massimilianogalardi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://shorturl.at/nIUW2