Pinus thunbergii aka Black Pine

Pinus thunbergii, or Japanese black pine, is an evergreen conifer. It belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. Its native range spans Korea and central and southern Japan. It grows along shores, on dunes, and on rocky cliffs. Garden trees reach 20–60 feet (6–18.3 m) tall. Their spread is often 12–20 feet (3.7–6.1 m). RHS gives a wider spread of 26 feet (8 m). Other reports reach 80 feet (24.4 m) in height. Trees in ideal sites can reach 130 feet (39.6 m).

Young trees have a broad, roughly pyramid-shaped crown. With age, the crown spreads and loses its even shape. The trunk may curve, and older branches may droop. Many trees lack a clear main upright stem. Dark gray to black bark forms deep grooves and rough scales. Light brown twigs turn gray as they age. Stiff, dark green needles grow in pairs with sharp tips. They may twist and reach about 0.4 feet (0.12 m) long. Pale, silky buds stand out against the dark leaves.

This pine bears cones rather than true flowers. Male and female cones grow on the same tree. The male cones form reddish-yellow groups at branch tips. Young female cones are reddish and appear in early spring. They develop into woody, egg-shaped cones with short stalks. Mature cones turn brown and reach 0.23 feet (0.07 m) long. They grow alone or in pairs and can be abundant. The dark seeds have wings. Cones add interest through fall and winter.

Grow this tree in full sun with good soil drainage. It prefers moist, fertile soil but also grows in sand. RHS lists acid, neutral, and alkaline soils as suitable. It tolerates heat, drought, and salt spray near the sea. Sources give USDA zones 5–8 and UK rating H7. Growth is moderate, and the tree needs no routine pruning. Its dense crown suits screens and coastal shelter plantings. Growers also use it as a specimen or bonsai. Coastal plantings help hold dunes in place. Its needles feed imperial moth larvae, and deer tend to avoid it.

Healthy trees in suitable sites may have few major problems. Older trees can develop tip blight, rusts, or cankers. Needle cast and honey fungus are further risks. Pests include pinewood nematodes, sawflies, scale insects, and borers. Aphids, adelgids, and pine shoot moths may also attack. Plants For A Future lists the inner bark as edible. It also records a vanillin flavouring from pulpwood processing. The supplied evidence does not establish a species-specific toxicity rating.