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Pinus koraiensis
Siebold & Zucc.
Korean White Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus koraiensis is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to mountainous areas of Northeast Asia, and is an important timber tree.
Description
Pinus koraiensis is a tree that grows up to 50 m tall, with a trunk up to 1 m wide at breast height. Leaves are thin, 6 to 12 cm long in bundles of 5. They are triangular in cross section, and dark green with numerous bluish-gray bands (which are stomata) only on the inner sides of the leaves. Sheaths are not persistent. Buds are about reddish brown, oblong to ovoid and are slightly resinous. The bark is grayish brown, cracked vertically into irregular plates; branches are reddish brown. Seed cones are solitary or clustered near the tips of 1-year-old branches. They are 9 to 14 cm long and 6 to 8 cm wide, conical to ovoid to oblong, hanging from a 1 to 1.5 cm long stalk. These cones stay closed or slightly open, but do not release their seeds. Seeds are about 12 to 16 mm wide, without wings (Wu et al. 1999).
The species is somewhat similar to Pinus sibirica, but Pinus koraiensis has pointed, recurved cone scales, while Pinus sibirica has smaller cones with rounded cone scales (Wu et al. 1999).
The species is somewhat similar to Pinus sibirica, but Pinus koraiensis has pointed, recurved cone scales, while Pinus sibirica has smaller cones with rounded cone scales (Wu et al. 1999).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus koraiensis is an important timber tree around its native range. Its wood is straight, soft, and light, and is therefore used in many different areas of construction and carpentry, including telephone poles, bridges, flooring, and furniture, as well as paper. Turpentine can be obtained from the wood and the roots. The seeds, which are edible, are a major source of commercial pine kernels in Europe and the United States, but also serve as a source for soap and oil (Wu et al. 1999; Thomas and Farjon 2013).
Pinus koraiensis is also grown as an ornamental. It grows in well-drained soil in full sun. They prefer cool summers, but can tolerate extreme cold, growing in USDA zones 4 to 7 (MBG).
Pinus koraiensis is also grown as an ornamental. It grows in well-drained soil in full sun. They prefer cool summers, but can tolerate extreme cold, growing in USDA zones 4 to 7 (MBG).
Distribution
The species can be found in mountains from 200 to 1800 m. It is native to Japan, Korea, eastern Russia, and the Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin (Wu et al. 1999).
Status
Pinus koraiensis is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", as the species has an very wide range. However, in Russia, it has been significantly deforested in the past, and in China, forests have been overexploited for their edible nuts. It is listed in Appendix III of CITES by Russia, an international treaty regulating the trade of endangered species (Thomas and Farjon 2013).
References
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Pinus koraiensis. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jun 12]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284965
Thomas, P., and Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus koraiensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42373A2975987.en
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Thomas, P., and Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus koraiensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42373A2975987.en
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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