Japanese white pine is a dense, slow-growing evergreen with a smaller stature which makes it an excellent specimen for small landscapes or space restrictions.
This plant has some cultivated varieties. Go to list of cultivars.
Botanical name:
All Common Names:
Family (English):
Family (Botanic):
Planting Site:
- Residential and parks
Tree or Plant Type:
- Tree
Foliage:
- Evergreen (foliage year-round)
Native Locale:
- Non-native
Landscape Uses:
- Shade tree,
- Specimen
Size Range:
- Large tree (more than 40 feet),
- Medium tree (25-40 feet)
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Light Exposure:
- Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness Zones:
- Zone 4,
- Zone 5 (Chicago),
- Zone 6,
- Zone 7
Soil Preference:
- Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances:
- Occasional drought,
- Alkaline soil,
- Clay soil,
- Road salt
Acid Soils:
- Tolerant
Alkaline Soils:
- Moderately Tolerant
Salt Spray:
- Tolerant
Soil Salt:
- Intolerant
Drought Conditions:
- Moderately Tolerant
Poor Drainage:
- Intolerant
Planting Considerations:
- May be difficult to find in nurseries
Ornamental Interest:
- Edible fruit
Season of Interest:
- Early winter,
- Mid winter,
- Late winter,
- Early spring,
- Mid spring,
- Late spring,
- Early summer,
- Mid summer,
- Late summer,
- Early fall,
- Mid fall,
- Late fall
Flower Color & Fragrance:
- Inconspicuous
Shape or Form:
- Broad,
- Pyramidal
Growth Rate:
- Slow
Transplants Well:
- Yes
More Information:
Tree & Plant Care
Best in full sun, relatively tolerant of most soils as long as well-drained.
Somewhat tolerant of salt.
Slow growing.
Disease, pests, and problems
Can suffer from insects and disease when stressed.
Susceptible to a number of diseases including Diplodia tip blight, needle casts, and pine wilt.
Native geographic location and habitat
Native to Japan
Bark color and texture
Smooth, gray-green when young, older bark dark gray, and scaly.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture
Fine textured, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long, bluish-green needles are in bundles of 5.
Needles are stiff and twisted and appear brush-like tufts on strong horizontal branches.
Flower arrangement, shape, and size
Monoecious, small, yellow-green flowers in clusters in May.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions
The 2 to 4 inch long cylindrical cones are thick, leathery, near terminal ends of branches.
Cones are abundant, even on young trees and persist for years on the tree.
Cultivars and their differences
Bergman Japanese White Pine (Pinus parviflora 'Bergman'): A more compact cultivar (15 to 20 feet high), with twisted blue-green needles.
Glauca Japanese White Pine (Pinus parviflora 'Glauca'): A cultivar with blue needles.