Japanese Black Pine

Pinus thunbergii

Pinaceae · coniferous tree · introduced

Last updated May 11, 2026

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.

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height

20–80 ft

Spread

23 ft

Growth Rate

Moderate

Size at 20 yr

50 ft

Lifespan

Long-lived

Site Requirements

Light

Full Sun

Soil Drainage

Well Drained

Soil pH

5.5-8.0

Water

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Medium

Hardiness

Zones 7a–9b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Origin

Japan

Damping-offHigh

Seedling Emergence - Postemergence Damping-off Risk

Pine needle scaleHigh

Crawler Emergence

Armillaria Root RotModerate

Active Below-ground Growth

Cyclaneusma Needle CastModerate

Spring Needle Infection

+ 4 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Diseases: Regionally Documented (24)

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 spp. — primarily A 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) Gray Mold Heterobasidion occidentale Otrosina & Garbel Heterobasidion Root Disease In most Hypocotyl Rot and Root Rot Davisomycella medusa Medusa Needle Blight Rhabdocline spp. including R Needle Cast Needle Rusts Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Pine Wilt Excess sodium chloride Salt Damage Sirococcus conigenus Sirococcus Shoot Blight Fomitopsis officinalis, Porodaedalea pini, and other wood... Stem Decay Diaporthe vaccinii or Diplodia tip blight agents Tip Blight Multiple fungal species cause twig blight on different ho... Twig Blight

Pests: Regionally Documented (18)

Eriophyidae (family) 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 Neodiprion spp. Pine sawfly Eulachnus agilis Powdery pine needle aphid Otiorhynchus spp. Root weevil Schizolachnus piniradiatae Woolly pine needle aphid

Phenological Calendar

View full calendar (5 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Candle elongation BBCH 11	Feb 15-Mar 15	Pale, elongating shoots (candles) covered in papery scale leaves. Two stiff dark green needles per fascicle emerge as candle extends
Pollen release BBCH 61	Mar 15-May 15	Male strobili usually clustered at base of current year's candles; yellow pollen visible. Coastal salt tolerance
Pollen shed complete BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 31	Female conelets (small, reddish or purple) visible at shoot tips after pollination
Cone development (year 1-2) BBCH 71	Mar 15-May 31	Cones elongate. Two-needle fascicles characteristic. Cones mature over second year
Cone maturity and seed shed BBCH 85	Jun 1-Aug 31	Woody cones 4-7 cm long; small prickles on scales. Scales spread to release winged seeds

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

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.