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Tree Browser

With these characteristics: None

Pine, Japanese Black

Pinus thunbergiana or thunbergii

Pinaceae - Pine

Description

Leaves: Needles in bundles of 2; 2" to 4" long; stiff; dark green; evergreen, remain on tree 3 to 5 years.

Twigs/buds: Light brown, hairless, and ridged in first year; blackish-gray thereafter.  Buds gray, silvery white, or light reddish-brown; egg-shaped to cylindrical, pointed, large (1/2" to 3/4" in length), not resinous, fringed; lying flat against twig.

Flowers/fruit: Monoecious. Fruit a woody cone; 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" long; brown; scale tips rounded or with a very small prickle.

Bark: Grayish-yellow or dark gray scaly plates on mature trunks like P. nigra; bark can become strikingly black (hence, its common name).

Wood: Soft, lightweight; used for lumber and building houses in Japan; inferior to P. densiflora; little information available.

General: Native to Japan.  Also called Pinus thunbergii. Medium to large, tough tree.  Salt and drought tolerant; shade intolerant.

Landscape Use: Could be used more to vary our choices in pines.  Does well in Utah.  Nice dark green foliage.  Somewhat irregular shape, but many cultivars available.  Zones 5-9.

Cultivars: 'Compacta', 'Globosa', 'Iseli', 'Kotobuki', 'Majestic Beauty', 'Mini Mounds', 'Mt. Hood Prostrate', 'Oculus Draconis', 'Pygmaea', 'Shioguro', 'Thunderhead'.

Characteristics

General

Family:
Pinaceae - Pine
Cultivar Availability:
Yes
Hardiness Zone:
5-9
Type:
Conifer
Utah Native:
No

Growth

Growth Rate:
Medium
Mature Height:
Medium
Longevity:
High
Is Good Under Power Lines:
No
Crown Shape:
Irregular

Ornamental

Bark:
No
Fall Color:
No
Flowers:
No
Foliage:
Yes
Fruit:
No

Tolerance

Shade:
Low
Salt:
High
Drought:
High
Poor Drainage:
Low
Alkalinity:
Medium
Transplanting:
Medium