lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Lacebark pine is native to China and is grown in U.S. parks and gardens rather than found in the wild. Its bark flakes off in patches of cream, green, brown, and purple that become paler with age. Its stiff needles grow in bundles of three.

Appearance

Appearance: Mature bark peels in patches, revealing cream, olive, brown, and purplish colors. The effect becomes more noticeable as the tree ages.
Growth form: It is a slow-growing evergreen that usually reaches 30–50 ft (9–15 m) tall and 20–35 ft (6–11 m) wide in U.S. landscapes.
Leaves: The stiff, pointed needles grow in bundles of three.
Fruit: The tree produces woody, egg-shaped cones about 2–3 in (5–8 cm) long.

Look-alikes

eastern white pinePinus strobus

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) has soft needles in bundles of five. Lacebark pine has stiffer needles in bundles of three and develops mottled, peeling bark.

Why they get mixed upBoth are evergreen pines planted in the United States.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: parks and large gardens
botanical collections
Range: It is native to north-central China and is cultivated rather than wild in the United States.
Preferred conditions: It grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It is suited to U.S. hardiness zones 4–8.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: ‘Silver Ghost’ has especially silvery bark, while ‘Temple Gem’ is a smaller, slow-growing selection.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: In U.S. gardens, it is usually planted where the winter bark can be viewed up close.

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