Pinus thunbergii aka Black Pine

Taxonomy

Genus Pinus Family Pinaceae Order Pinales Class Pinopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Pinus thunbergii, also known as black pine, Japanese black pine, and Japanese pine, is a type of pine tree that is native to coastal regions of Japan and South Korea. In Korean, it is called gomsol, while the Chinese refer to it as hēisōng, and the Japanese call it kuromatsu. This tree can grow up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat, with an umbrella-shaped crown and thick, platy gray-black bark. There are more than 40 clones of Pinus thunbergii in Japan, where they have been collected and propagated. The selected clones tend to be smaller, with a height that rarely exceeds 30 feet. As a two-needle pine, it has deep green needles that are four to five inches long and persist on the tree for four to five years. The needles are held in a half inch long silvery band at the base. The candle-shaped terminal buds of the Japanese black pine are two centimeters long, silvery white in color, and are a distinctive identifying characteristic of the species. The cones of the tree are ovoid in shape, two to three inches long, and require two years to mature. As a houseplant, Japanese black pine is relatively rare but easy to grow. It needs regular watering to thrive and does best in direct, long-lasting light less than one foot away from a window. The tree prefers soil that is well-draining and should be repotted each time it doubles in size. Japanese black pine belongs to the Pinus genus and is native to Japan and South Korea.

Common names

Black Pine, Japanese Black Pine, Thunberg Pine

How to care for Black Pine

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Black Pine is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Black Pine should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Black Pine loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Black Pine requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Japanese Black Pine is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

The Black Pine is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Region of origin

Black Pine’s native range is E. Asia - Japan.

More info:
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