Stone pine or umbrella pine - Pinus pinea

The sheer respect for trees is evident here. The paving was laid around this beautiful umbrella pine so it could continue to grow freely.

The umbrella pine is valued in Greece and the rest of the Mediterranean region for various reasons. Thanks to their characteristic umbrella-shaped crown, these trees provide ample shade, which is essential in the warm, sunny Mediterranean climate. They are therefore often planted in gardens, along squares or roads, and along beaches. The umbrella pine is highly wind and drought-resistant, making it suitable for coastal areas and erosion control. The seeds, better known as pine nuts, are popular in Mediterranean cuisine, for example, as an ingredient in pesto or Greek dishes. The tree's fragrant resin is used to produce turpentine. The umbrella pine has been present in the region since ancient times and was already cultivated in Greece around 400 BC, partly for its utility and symbolism.

Pascal Brackman