About
Pinus densiflora, the Japanese red pine, is a tall, broadly conical to rounded tree becoming flat-topped with age, with attractive reddish-brown, flaky bark in the upper crown. Stiff, vivid-green needles about 10 cm long are borne in pairs and the cones are yellow-brown, around 4 cm long. An ornamental and architectural pine for a well-drained, sunny garden.
About the genus
Pinus, the pines, are evergreen coniferous trees or shrubs � some with attractive bark � developing an irregular crown with age and bearing long, needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5. Conspicuous cones may fall or persist on the tree for years. Among the most widely grown of all ornamental conifers.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeConifers, Trees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toJapan, Korea
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any well-drained soil in full sun. See Trees: buying and planting specimens
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to adelgids, aphids, pine sawfly and pine shoot moth
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases