Japanese White Pine
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 25-50' tall with similar or greater width, to 70' in the wild. Dense habit, conical pyramid to wide-spreading as it ages. Branches few, horizontal, short, densely set with short, greenish-gray branchlets. Slow growth rate.

Native Range

Native to Japan, at higher elevations on stony soil. Introduced 1861.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious flowers. Abundant cones are often clustered, terminal, almost sessile, horizontally spreading, ovoid to cylindrical, 1.5-4" long, spreading widely when ripe, remaining 6-7 years on tree, scales few, wedge-shaped, thick, brownish red, cones heavily in youth.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Needles are bluish-green, 1.25-2.5" long, tufted at tips of branches, sometimes green, in groups of 5, persisting 3-4 years, with 3-4 stomatic bands on inner sides of each needle. Bark on young trees is smooth and gray, eventually becoming darker gray and platy, scaly on old trunks.

Culture and Care

Zone 4-7. Full sun. Tolerant of most soil types, even clay loam, as long as there is both average moisture and good drainage. Does best in a moist, well-drained soil. Salt tolerant. Cold hardy. Few problems. Tolerates urban conditions and air pollution. No serious problems with pests or diseases.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

An extremely graceful small conifer whose low stature, artistic growth habit and fine-textured foliage make it a perfect tree for small places. Deer resistant. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Not tolerant of shade or poorly-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Primary use as a specimen/accent or character plant, works well in small spaces. Good for the sea coast as it is salt tolerant. May be trained from youth as a bonsai plant.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA