Japanese Black Pine
Pinus thunbergii
Pinaceae · coniferous tree · introduced
Last updated
Data Coverage 4 of 6 dimensions
Pinus thunbergii (Pinaceae) is a two-needled pine native to Japan. It grows to about 80 feet tall with a broad, irregular crown and dark, deeply furrowed bark. The stiff, dark green needles (3 to 5 inches) and prominent white terminal buds ("candles") are distinctive.
Japanese black pine is valued for its salt tolerance, making it one of the best pines for coastal plantings. It tolerates urban conditions, sandy soils, and wind exposure. It grows in full sun. The species is widely used in Japanese-style gardens and is a classic subject for cloud pruning and bonsai. Pine wilt nematode is a significant threat in some regions. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
Quick Facts
Height
20–80 ft
Spread
23 ft
Growth Rate
Moderate
Light
Full Sun
Soil
Well Drained
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 7a–9b
Bloom Time
Non-flowering
Origin
Japan
Phenological Calendar
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| New growth flush BBCH 11 | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | Mar 15-May 15 |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | Apr 15-May 31 |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | Mar 15-May 31 |
| Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85 | Jun 1-Aug 31 |
Diseases (26)
Endocronartium harknessii Western Gall Rust Cronartium ribicola White Pine Blister Rust Phytophthora spp. (P Phytophthora Root Rot Lophodermium spp. Lophodermium Needle Cast Lophodermella concolor Lophodermella Needle Cast Elytroderma deformans Elytroderma Needle Cast Arceuthobium spp. (parasitic plant) Dwarf Mistletoe Armillaria ostoyae Armillaria Root Rot Symptom category — not a single disease Canker Cyclaneusma minus Cyclaneusma Needle Cast Several soilborne Damping-off Dothistroma septosporum (and/or D Dothistroma Needle Blight (Red Band) Botrytis cinerea Gray Mold Heterobasidion annosum Heterobasidion Root Disease In most Hypocotyl Rot and Root Rot Davisomycella medusa Medusa Needle Blight Rhabdocline spp. including R Needle Cast Gymnosporangium spp. Needle Rusts Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Pine Wilt Armillaria ostoyae Root Rot (Armillaria ostoyae) Phytophthora spp. Root Rot (Phytophthora spp.) Excess sodium chloride Salt Damage Sirococcus conigenus Sirococcus Shoot Blight Stem decay Stem Decay Diaporthe vaccinii or Diplodia tip blight agents Tip Blight Diaporthe vaccinii Twig Blight
Pests (23)
Eriophyidae Eriophyid mite Pineus strobi Pine bark adelgid Dioryctria spp. Coneworm Pine Aphid Pissodes strobi White pine weevil Tetranychidae Spider mite Synanthedon sequoiae Sequoia pitch moth Pine Needle Sheathminer Pine Sheath Miner Chionaspis pinifoliae Pine needle scale Pine Butterfly Coloradia pandora Pandora moth Dendroctonus ponderosae Mountain pine beetle Rhyacionia buoliana European pine shoot moth Nuculaspis californica Black pineleaf scale Coneworm and shoot moth Cinara spp. Giant conifer aphid Zelleria haimbachi Pine needle sheathminer Neodiprion spp. Pine sawfly Neophasia menapia Pine white butterfly Eulachnus agilis Powdery pine needle aphid Otiorhynchus spp. Root weevil Schizolachnus piniradiatae Woolly pine needle aphid Pine sheath miner
Cultivars (2)
'Ogon'
Common name: Golden Japanese Black Pine; Mature height: 5 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
'Thunderhead'
Common name: Thunderhead Japanese Black Pine; Mature height: 5–10 ft