The shape is instantly recognizable to anyone who has traveled in its native Mediterranean regions.
Stone pine trees won’t do well in cold winters.
The trees require full sun and well-drained soil of any pH level.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Light
Plant a stone pine tree in a full-sun location.
Soil
Stone pine prefers well-drained soil that is not too moist.
This species is native to dry Mediterranean regions, so the best environment will mimic those conditions.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Nor does it like environments where there is a vast difference between winter and summer temperatures.
Fertilizer
Once established, stone pine trees do not need to be fed.
Types of Stone Pine
The stone pine most commonly available is the straight species.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Stone pine is the primary source of edible pine nuts in Europe.
Lower branches will naturally fall away as the tree grows upward and begins to assume its umbrella shape.
Some gardeners prefer to mold the umbrella-shaped canopy with targeted pruning.
The tree must be several years into cone production before the seeds can be propagated.
Keep the soil moist but not too wet.
Keep your potted pine in an area where it gets bright light, but avoid the strong midday sun.
Also, keep it away from heat sources such as a fireplace, radiator, or air vents.
If so, it’s time to repot.
When mulching stone pines outdoors, leave a space of a few inches between the trunk and the mulch.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Few serious disease problems are found with this species.
Such an issue can be treated with a fungicide containingneem oilor copper salts.
Sometimes though, the issue could be due to bark beetles.
These pests cut tunnels in the inner bark layer, beneath the outer bark.
They are hard to treat with pesticides, so the recommended control is to remove and destroy affected branches.
A major infestation may require the removal of the entire tree.
Watch for these issues if you plant a stone pine.
Snapping Branches
This tree cannot typically handle high winds.
These trees are also easily damaged by ice.
Yes, stone pine trees do grow successfully in the U.S. Plant a stone pine tree in a sunny location that gets at least six hours of sun a day.
