Family Pinacea
Originating from the Mediterranean
Pinus pinea are a distinctive evergreen conifer, conical in habit when they are young but developing its characteristic dense dome-shaped crown with radiating branches as it matures – hence its common name (Umbrella pine). Young plants have soft, grey foliage, which matures to deep dark green. The bark is a rich orange-brown, becoming fissured as it ages. In the open the Pinus pinea forms a short, stout tree but when surrounded by other trees it usually grows much taller – reaching for the light. It is from this pine that pine nuts are produced although unfortunately, the climate in the UK is not warm enough for the nuts, or seeds to be correct, to mature.
Grow in well-drained soil in sun. Not very tolerant of chalky soils.
Height and spread after 10 – 15?? years 2.5m x 2.5m
Semi mature height and spread after 25 – 30 years 10m x 7m
Potential mature height after 50 – 60 years 25m x 12m
