Common Name: Japanese Black Pine

General Information

Pinus thunbergii is an evergreen tree with a broadly conical or umbrella-like crown; it can grow up to 40 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 200cm in diameter[]. The trunk becomes bent and the crown flattened under severe exposure[]..
The wood has been much used in construction in Japan, where it has been shown to be a principal timber in structures dating back to the 14th century. It continues to be exploited for its wood, both from the wild and cultivated stands, and is used in afforestation and soil stabilization projects as well as in shelterbelts. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, especially in Japan, and is grown in bonsai[].
Pinus thunbergii is widespread and very common in Japan and coastal parts of South Korea. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - central and southern Japan, Korea

Habitat

Coastal hills and mountains, succeeding in both water-logged soils and on dry slopes and ridges; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[]. Sand dunes by the coast in eastern Japan.

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus thunbergii grows in the moist, warm temperate climate of central and southern Japan, where there is little or no frost[]. It is a moderately cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[];
Pine species in general require a sunny position if they are to grow well and, whilst the different species have their own soil preferences, most will thrive in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[, ]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[]. Established plants tolerate drought[] and maritime exposure[, ].
The Japanese black pine bears cones whilst still young and produces cones very freely in Britain[]. The trees thrive in Britain but do not grow very large[] and are probably not going to be long-lived[]. Young trees grow about 50cm per year but this soon tails off and older trees average less than 30cm per year[].
The conical-ovoid or ovoid seed cones are 4 - 6cm long and 3 - 4cm wide, taking two growing seasons to reach maturity. They shed their seeds whilst still attached to the tree, falling soon after[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
This species hybridizes in the wild with Pinus densiflora[].
Air pollution has caused needle chlorosis, reduced needle retention and a decline in community diversity in forests near Korean cities[]
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Inner bark[]. There are no more details but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread.

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[].

The needles are used in pastry in Korea[].

The pollen is used to flavour cookies in Korea[].

The seeds of all Pinus species are more or less edible, and some are of good size and make very tasty and nutritious foods, often eaten in quantitiy. Others can be less desireable, either having a strongly resinous flavour, being bitter or, more commonly, rather too small and fiddly to make it very worthwhle even trying to eat them,
We have no specific information of the desireability of this species, though they are rather small (the size given includes the shell)[].
The obovoid-ellipsoid seeds are 5 - 7mm long and 2 - 3mm wide[].

Medicinal

Oil of turpentine, obtained from the oleo-resin of all pine trees, is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and vermifuge[, ]. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections[]. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB[].
Applied externally in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers, it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A natural pioneer species in its own habitat, the tree is extensively used in plantations and afforestation schemes, especially in China. It can be used as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland[].
Tolerant of salt spray, this species makes a good shelterbelt for exposed maritime positions[, ]. Trees were 9 metres tall after 30 years in a very exposed position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall[].
The tree is planted to stabilize sand dunes by the coast[, ].
The needles contain a substance called terpene, this is released when rain washes over the needles and it has a negative effect on the germination of some plants, including wheat[].

Other Uses

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[].

An extract of the needles and branches is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner and protector[].
An extract of the bark is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an emollient and skin conditioner[].
An extract of the cones is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an emollient and skin conditioner[].

Oleo-resins are present in the tissues of all species of pines, but these are often not present in sufficient quantity to make their extraction economically worthwhile[]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[, ]. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields[].
Oil of Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[] and is separated by distillation[, ]. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for thinning and dissolving varnish and paints, a shoe polish, medicinal etc[, ].
Rosin is also obtained by distillation of pine resin. This is used in paper glue and soap manufacturing, as a constituent of varnishes and paints, and for coating the bows of stringed musical instruments such as violins[, ].
Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc[].

The wood of this pine is similar to that of the Black pine (Pinus nigra) and is used for general construction, poles, railway sleepers, fences, pallets and crates, flooring, fibreboard, and wood pulp[].

Propagation

It is best to sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in late winter. A short stratification of 6 weeks at 4°c can improve the germination of stored seed[]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[]. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow[]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[]. We actually plant them out when they are about 5 - 10cm tall. So long as they are given a very good weed-excluding mulch they establish very well[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away[].