Pinus pinea (Umbrella or stone pine)

Is an exceptionally interesting pine with its unmistabeable umbrella-shaped crown of dark-green needles. The cones are globular, reddish-brown and take three years to mature after which they release their seeds - the well-known, edible, pine nuts. The chemical composition of soil is irrelevant to them but they prefer loose and sandy types. They can withstand drought and thrive in areas not far from the sea.