Common Name: Italian Stone Pine

General Information

Pinus pinea is an evergreen tree with a crown that is globose and shrubby when young, later domed and becoming very broad low-rounded with age, it usually grows 12 - 25 metres tall, occasionally reaching 35 metres. The bole is often short and slightly sinuous[].
This species is harvested on a very large scale for its edible seeds, which are used locally and also sold in large quantities for export. The species is also much valued as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks around the Mediterranean and in other parts of Europe with mild winters. The pine cones are sold as ornamental objects to florists.
Pinus pinea is widespread in the Mediterranean, partly as a result of past plantings. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].
In South Africa this species has become naturalized and is an invasive and noxious species in the fynbos biome of the Cape[].

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

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Range

Mediterranean regions of Europe and western Asia, from Portugal and Spain to Turkey, Lebanon and Syria

Habitat

Coastal dunes and flats as well as on lower slopes of mountains and in the hills, growing in mixed conifer-oak woodland, in low open forests and in maquis scrub; at elevations up to 600 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	14.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus pinea is native to the Mediterranean region, with its hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. It is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -10°c when fully dormant[]. This species can tolerate occasional lows to about -18°c[]. Although sometimes thought to be somewhat tender in temperate regions, it is perfectly hardy as far north as south-east Scotland[].
Pine species in general require a sunny position if they are to grow well and, whilst the different species have their own soil preferences, most will thrive in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[, ]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[] and shady positions[]. Established plants tolerate drought[]. Succeeds in a chalky soil[].
The trees transplant very badly if they are allowed to stay in one position for more than 2 years[].
The Italian stone pine is extensively planted for its edible seeds in Europe[, ]. . These are harvested while still inside the closed cones, which are pulled down from the trees with hooked poles; the cones open when heated. For this purpose lower tree crowns are favoured, which is accomplished by keeping the canopy open[].
Millions of kilogrammes of seeds or 'pine kernels' are harvested in the Mediterranean countries each year[].
The variety 'Fragilis' has thin shelled seeds and is the form most widely cultivated[].
This is usually a short-lived tree, rarely surviving for much more than 100 years[].
Trees take between 10 and 20 years to begin producing cones from seed[].
One of our plants, growing in Cornwall, southwest england, produced its first young female cone when 7 years old, though this did not mature because it was not fertilised[].
A 20 year old plant at Kew Gardens in London was about 4.5 metres tall with a number of trunks and had more than 15 mature cones[]. A very old specimen at Kew was carrying lots of 1st and 2nd year cones in July 1996[].
Mature trees have a thick, fire resistant bark[].
The broad ovoid to globose seed cones are 8 - 15cm long, 5 - 12cm wide. The massive cones take three years to mature and can remain on the tree for several years without opening. The seeds are nearly wingless and are dispersed by birds (also eaten by rodents) or may scatter after fire has burned off the undergrowth and its heat assisted in opening the cones[, ].
This is one of several species of pine that have a mutualistic relationship with species of birds in the family Corvidae (in this case Jays and Nutcrackers) to disperse its seed. The birds have powerfull beaks which enable them to extricate the seeds and crack the shells. They store many of the seeds at some distance from the parent plant - some of these seeds never get eaten and can germinate and grow into new trees[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. This species does not hybridize with other members of this genus[].
Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow under the trees[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , , , , ]. Rich in oil, the seed has a soft texture with a hint of resin in the flavour. It makes a delicious snack and can also be used as a staple food[]. The seeds are considered a delicacy in their own right, but are also used in various recipies ranging from pasta dishes to pastries[]. The seeds are often added to ice cream, cakes, puddings etc[]. They can also be ground into a powder and used as a thickener and flavouring in soups etc[]. The seed is a good size, up to 20mm x 10mm, and is a major source of pine nuts in commerce[].

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[].

Young pine cones can be ground into a powder and used as a flavouring.[]

Medicinal

Oil of turpentine, obtained from the oleo-resin of all pine trees, is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and vermifuge[, ]. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections[]. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB[].
Applied externally in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers, it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The needles contain a substance called terpene, this is released when rain washes over the needles and it has a negative effect on the germination of some plants, including wheat[].

Other Uses

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[].

The oil obtaind from the seed is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Yields a resin and turpentine[, , ].
Oleo-resins are present in the tissues of all species of pines, but these are often not present in sufficient quantity to make their extraction economically worthwhile[]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[, ]. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields[].
Oil of Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[] and is separated by distillation[, ]. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for thinning and dissolving varnish and paints, a shoe polish, medicinal etc[, ].
Rosin is also obtained by distillation of pine resin. This is used in paper glue and soap manufacturing, as a constituent of varnishes and paints, and for coating the bows of stringed musical instruments such as violins[, ].
Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc[].

Although the treemay develop a tall, straight bole when growing in densely-planted stands, most commonly its branches spread out and the trunk remains short. The quality of the wood for sawn timber is poor, being coarse and resinous and seldom straight for any substantial length. It is used locally in carpentry, to make furniture etc[, ].
Empty pine cones are good, hot burning fuel (bakeries)[].

Propagation

It is best to sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in late winter. A short stratification of 6 weeks at 4°c can improve the germination of stored seed[]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[]. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow[]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[]. We actually plant them out when they are about 5 - 10cm tall. So long as they are given a very good weed-excluding mulch they establish very well[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away[].