Tree Description:
A small, sweeping pine to 30 feet tall, with an open, irregular crown that is often used in landscape plantings, especially small spaces.
Range/Site Description:
Native to Japan, this tree performs well only on well-drained sites, prefers acid soils, but tolerates drought, salt, and alkaline soils. A good choice for beach plantings near the coast.
Leaf:
Needles in bundles of 2, dark green and glossy, 5" to 7" long. New buds at the branch tips form silvery "candles" up to 0.75" longfrom which the green needles appear.
Flower:
Male conelets measure 1" and release the yellow pollen; female conelets small, ovoid, appear on last year's branches.
Fruit:
A woody cone, 1" to 3" long, with small, weak prickles on the scale tips, tending to open first on the outer half of the cone but remaining closed closer to the base.
Bark:
Dark gray or black, rough, with lengthwise fissures.
Wood:
Sold in the nursery trade for landscape plantings. Sometimes used in bonsai.
Similar Species:
Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) is larger, with a straight trunk and orange bark.
Interesting Facts:
Planted for beach stabilization in the northeast U.S., but is considered invase in NY.
