Heritage Trees

Stone Pine, Pinus pinea

1846

The stone pine can be found close to the Secluded Garden

This species has been cultivated in Europe for almost 2000 years, but the first planting at Kew was in 1846. For many years it was kept in a pot in the nursery with many other recently introduced pines, as there was no space left for planting in the original 5 acre arboretum. The tree became stunted and bonsaied and eventually, once planted out in the new 45 acres added to the arboretum, it grew away to form the unusual shape it displays today. One of the common names of the “Stone Pine” is “Umbrella Pine” due to its parasol appearance when grown on a single trunk, which makes this specimen so unusual.

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Search Kew's electronic Plant Information Centre for scientific information about Pinus pinea

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