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Pinus densiflora
Siebold & Zucc.
Japanese Red Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus densiflora is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to Northeast Asia, and is widely used as a timber tree and an ornamental.
Description
Pinus densiflora is a medium-sized tree, growing up to around 30 m with a trunk that grows around 1.5 or 1.8 m wide. It forms a conical crown when young, eventually becoming flat-topped, with some drooping branches. Needles are stiff and straight or twisted, around 7 to 12 cm in bundles of 2. They are dark to bright bluish green with bands (which are stomata) on both sides of the leaves, and they persist on the tree for 2, sometimes 3 years. Sheaths are 15 mm long, and are persistent. Buds are 8 to 12 mm long, and are slightly resinous. The bark is bright reddish brown, flaky, eventually becoming scaly gray and furrowed. Twigs are yellowish brown and are hairless and sometimes covered with a thin layer of wax. Pollen cones are 5 to 10 mm, pale yellow, densely clustered. Seed cones are 3 to 5.5 cm long, nearly round, and attached to a curved or straight stalk. They are green, ripening to yellowish brown. Cones have around 70 to 90 scales that are oval-shaped, with a diamond-shaped face that is bluntly tipped. These cones open widely to release their seeds and fall from the tree. Seeds are 3 to 7 mm long, with a wing that is 10 to 15 mm long, firmly attached to the seed body (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus densiflora is similar to Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and replaces its role as a timber tree in East Asia. Its wood is mainly used for paper, but also for construction, mining, and railroad ties. It is often cultivated in Japan and abroad (Farjon 2013), particularly the cultivar ‘Umbraculifera’ which has a umbrella-shaped form. It prefers medium moisture, well-drained soils, and full sun; it is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7 (MBG). The needles and pollen can be used as traditional medicine (Farjon 2013).
Distribution
Pinus densiflora grows on a wide variety of generally acidic soils. It usually dominates forests, although in areas dominated by broad-leaved trees, Pinus densiflora is usually restricted to poor sites, but in the event of forest fires, it can recolonize quickly. It is found at elevations between 50 m and 2300 m, and is native to Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu of Japan, North and South Korea, Primorsky Krai of Russia, and the Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and Shandong (Farjon 2013).
Status
Pinus densiflora is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", since it has a very wide distribution and only modest decline in some areas from deforestation (Farjon 2013).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus densiflora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42355A2974820.en.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Pinus densiflora ‘Umbraculifera’. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Sep 14]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=252863&isprofile=0&
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus densiflora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42355A2974820.en.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Pinus densiflora ‘Umbraculifera’. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Sep 14]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=252863&isprofile=0&
Description
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