Pinus densiflora

Japanese Red Pine
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Straight-species (Japanese Red Pine) grows 40-60' tall and wide, but cultivars are much smaller. Growth habit is leaning, spreading, broad and flat, sometimes open and floppy in appearance, variable by cultivar. Slow to moderate growth rate. Some cultivars are damaged by cold winters. May not be a long-lived tree.

Native Range

Native to Japan, Korea, China, and northeastern Russia. Introduced in 1854.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious flowers. Fruits in cones.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Needles are in bundles of 2, bright green, rich dark or light green, 3-5" long, remaining for 3 years. Notable Bark: Very showy, papery, exfoliating, orange-red bark. Bark turns gray at the base with age, and becomes fissured into oblong plates.

Culture and Care

Prefers a well-drained slightly acid soil and sunny conditions, but will tolerate clay soils. Zones 3(4?)-7. Disease and insect susceptibility similar to other pines. Some fungus disease problems.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Severe winters can do damage, especially to certain cultivars. Some browning may occur after a hard winter.

Suggested Uses

Makes an excellent specimen plant due to interesting form and showy bark. The naturally crooked growth habit is beneficial for early shaping into larger bonsai trees, especially for some of the smaller cultivars.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA

The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.

  • Pinus densiflora 'Oculus-Draconis' // Dragon-eye Pine, Dragon-eye Japanese Red Pine, Dragon-eye Tanyosho Pine
    Tree. Much shorter plant than the species. Needles show dramatic, alternate yellow & green rings, w/ 2 yellow bands, and can be rather attractive, especially in late summer and fall. The needles may dull out to a muddy yellow-brown in winter. Not as hardy.
    -- not currently in our collection --

  • Pinus densiflora 'Pendula' // Weeping Tanyosho Pine
    Shrub. This rather effective weeping form can be used prostrate to drape over rock walls and raised planters. Or when trained up and top-worked, it makes an interesting stand-alone, weeping specimen. Rich, green needles are about 4" long.
    BS009050

  • Pinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera' // Umbrella Pine, Tanyosho Pine, Japanese Umbrella Pine
    Tree. A dwarf, compact, umbrella-like form, upright and spreading with densely borne branches. Slower growing, up to 10-15' (occasionally to 25') tall and 10' wide. Cones smaller than the species and often numerous in clusters.
    BT000360 - BT001096 - BT005310b