Pinus thunbergii

Pinus thunbergii (syn: Pinus thunbergiana), also called black pine, Japanese black pine, and Japanese pine, is a pine tree native to coastal areas of Japan (Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu) and South Korea.

It is called gomsol (gomsol) in Korean, heisong (Hei Song ) in Chinese, and kuromatsu (Hei Song ) in Japanese.

Description

Black pines can reach the height of 40 m, but rarely achieves this size outside its natural range. The needles grow in fascicles of two, each measuring 7-12 cm in length. Female cones measure 4-7 cm in height, and are scaled with small points at the tips. It takes two years for the female cones to mature. The male cones are about 1-2 cm in length and are borne in clumps 12-20 at the tips of spring growth. Bark is gray on young trees and small branches, changing to black and plated on larger branches and the trunk; becoming quite thick on older trunks.

Uses

Because of its resistance to pollution and salt, it is a popular horticultural tree. It is used extensively in Japan as a garden tree, both as a Niwaki tree and as an untrained overstory tree. To be beautiful and attractive, the trunks and branches can be trained as young children. This is one of the most important bonsai subjects. It requires patience and long-term training.

Ecology

In North America this tree is subject to widespread mortality by the native American pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, spread by means of beetle vectors. The plant is then attacked by blue stainfungus, which causes rapid decline and eventually death. The nematode was accidentally introduced to Japan, making the species endangered.