Species Japanese black pine
Clusters of long, green needles and rough, scaly, light brown cones

Japanese black pine

Pinus thunbergii

Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) is a conifer tree native to Japan, Korea, and parts of China. It can grow up to 10-20 meters in height and +2 meters in width when fully mature. The bark is gray-brown with a deep furrow that gradually forms a smooth plate when the tree is older. The needles are a dark green and the cones are a dark brown. The Japanese black pine is a popular ornamental tree and is also used in bonsai and topiary designs. It's a moderate-growing species that can tolerate a wide range of soils and environments, making it a good choice for many landscaping projects.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Hardwood Cuttings

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) should be watered once or twice weekly. In warmer months, increase watering frequency as necessary. Water deeply to ensure that the soil is fully saturated. Wait until the top few inches of soil in the pot begin to feel dry before watering again. During winter months, reduce watering frequency and water only when the soil is completely dry.

sunlight

Japanese black pine needs full sunlight or at least 6 hours of strong direct sunlight each day. It is best for this plant species to receive direct sunlight in the morning and afternoon to maximize photosynthesis and growth. Japanese black pine can tolerate unfiltered sunlight during the peak heat hours of the day, but the plant may suffer from burn damage due to the intensity.

pruning

Pruning should be done early in the spring for Japanese black pine. Pruning should involve thinning the tree. Start by removing dead, diseased, and crossing branches. Then take out thin or weak branches to open up the tree's structure. Aim to achieve an open, vase-shaped silhouette. If large branch removal is necessary, prune so the wound is minimal and the bark edge remains intact. Finally, cut back overly long branches in order to shape the tree and create a balanced appearance.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Pinus thunbergii typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map