I was really interested in why they grew like that because I am used to seeing trees with branches that extend much closer to the ground, but these trees don't!
Umbrella pines are very common in Italy, but they live in the entire Mediterranean region including southern Europe (Italy, France and Spain) and Africa! These trees used to be in really high demand because they are known to be good sources of wood and food. Nowadays, they can be found all over -- populating public parks, providing shade on some sidewalks or in large groves in the countryside.
The Mediterranean region is known for sustaining beautiful plants and having nice weather. The umbrella pines grow well in Italy because it gets very hot and dry in the summer, but the winters are cold and wet. Overall, the Mediterranean is classified as a subtropical to temperate climate, meaning that it gets a good amount of rain and lots of sunshine which is perfect for these trees!
Umbrella pine trees are a beloved symbol of Italy and the Mediterranean, but that does not mean they're completely safe from harm. Though people have been working hard to take care of them and plant more, there has been a recent infestation of a harmful pest. These bugs, called the "pine tortoise scale," have been using the umbrella trees as hosts, meaning that they're living on these trees in a way that hurts them. Usually insects can make their homes in plants in a way where they can live together, but the pine tortoise scale takes too much of the resources from the umbrella pines.
