Characteristics:
Common name: Black Thunberg pine, Japanese black pine, Kuro Matsu
Family: Pinaceae
Origin: Korea, Japan
Mature height: 15 to 25 meters
Hardiness: -25 ° C
Exposure: sunny
Plant type: tree
Vegetation: perennial
Foliage: persistent
Flowering: spring
Flower color: –
Type of soil: all soils
Watering: normal to dry
Use: isolated, clump, container, bonsai
Diseases and pests: Pine weevils, bark beetles, Pine beetles, Bombyx, Pine processionaries, Rusts
Toxicity: –
Seed conservation: 3 years in a dry place protected from light at 3/4 ° C (refrigerator)
Description:
Thunberg black pine is a conical tree that becomes rounded with age. Its bark is purple and dark gray. The branches are colored yellow-brown. The needles, dark gray-green, are thick and measure 7 to 15 cm long. They are grouped in pairs.
Flowering occurs in spring by the appearance of small flowers in the shape of red or green cones. Then the fruits appear which are cones 5 to 6 centimeters long with leathery scales. The fruits can stay on the tree for 6 or 7 years.
Pinus thunbergii tolerates sea spray, appreciates all soil but prefers acidic and draining soils.
This conifer is particularly resistant to pruning which makes it a prime subject for lovers of bonsai in pots or in the garden for giant bonsai.
