Japanese red pine is a red-barked tree of East Asian hillsides that American gardeners also grow for its open crown. It is native to Korea, Japan, and nearby parts of East Asia, and in the U.S. it is planted as an ornamental tree.

Appearance

Growth form
An evergreen tree that can reach 65–100 ft (20–30 m) in its native range. In U.S. landscapes it is often about 40–50 ft (12–15 m) tall, with an open, irregular crown and orange-red bark that flakes off in thin pieces.
Leaves
Soft, flexible needles in bundles of two, about 3–5 in (8–12 cm) long.
Fruit
Small egg-shaped cones, about 1–2.5 in (3–6 cm) long, mature in the fall after the flowering year.

Look-alikes

Japanese black pinePinus thunbergii

Its bark is dark gray to black, and the winter buds look whitish. Japanese red pine has red-orange upper bark and brownish buds.

Why they get mixed upBoth are East Asian pines with needles in pairs.

Scots pinePinus sylvestris

Both can show orange upper bark, but Scots pine usually has shorter, blue-green needles. Japanese red pine has longer green needles.

Why they get mixed upBoth are planted in the U.S. and have reddish peeling bark.

Where it lives

Typical habitats
  • Rocky slopes and ridges in East Asia
  • Parks and gardens in the U.S.
Range
Native to Korea, Japan, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East. In the U.S., it is planted in landscapes and gardens.
Preferred conditions
In U.S. gardens, it grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. U.S. plant guides list it for about 4–7.

Connected species

Parasites
  • pine wood nematodeBursaphelenchus xylophilus

    Pine wood s can infect Japanese red pine and cause .

Partners
  • matsutakeTricholoma matsutake

    In East Asia, matsutake grows with Japanese red pine roots and exchanges nutrients with the tree.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms
The best-known garden form is 'Umbraculifera', also called Tanyosho pine, which grows into a small umbrella-shaped tree. Others include weeping 'Pendula', yellow-needled 'Aurea', and 'Oculus-draconis' (dragon's-eye pine) with patterned needles.

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction
Threats
Some U.S. garden forms are susceptible to pine wilt, a disease caused by a tiny nematode. The disease can seriously damage planted trees.
19 sources
  1. iNaturalist taxon API
  2. 한국민족문화대백과 소나무
  3. 한국갤럽 좋아하는 나무 조사
  4. 산림청 소나무재선충병 자료
  5. FFPRI アカマツ
  6. Oregon State Landscape Plants Japanese red pine
  7. NC State Extension Japanese red pine
  8. UF IFAS Aurea Japanese red pine
  9. FFPRI mycorrhizal mushrooms
  10. 森林総合研究所 九州支所：多行松
  11. 近畿中国森林管理局：アカマツ
  12. 森林総合研究所 関西支所：アカマツ
  13. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: Pinus densiflora
  14. 산림청 임산버섯 재배기술: 송이
  15. FFPRI: Tricholoma matsutake and its symbiotic partner Pinus densiflora
  16. Development of pine-wilt disease in Pinus densiflora
  17. 국가유산청 보은 속리 정이품송
  18. 국립생물자원관 한국 알레르기 꽃가루 소나무류 비교
  19. 森林総合研究所 ゴヨウマツ
Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) — identification, habitat & look-alikes | Moeyo