Culture
Grow in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade and some drought. Salt tolerant.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pinus thunbergii commonly known as Japanese black pine, is noted for its whitish terminal buds that provide interesting contrast with its dark green foliage. In optimum growing conditions, this tree will grow in a generally conical form to 100’ tall, spreading somewhat irregularly with age. In cultivation, it is more often seen in the 20-60’ tall range. Needles (to 4.5” long) in bundles of two are an attractive dark green. Young foliage candles are upright.
Genus name comes from the Latin name for pines.
Specific epithet honors Carl Peter Thunberg, 18-19th century Sweedish physician.
'Mia Kujaku' is a slow growing cultivar that typically grows to 6-8' tall over the first 10 years. Some slight yellowish-green needle variegation typically appears.
Problems
Healthy, well-maintained trees in optimum growing conditions have few major problems. Potential diseases include Diplodia tip blight, rusts, cankers, twig/needle blight and leaf cast. Potential insect pests include pinewood nematodes, caterpillars, miners, sawfly, scale, mealybugs, borers and weevils. These pines may struggle in the St. Louis area where environmental conditions do not favor most conifers.
Branch dieback can be a significant problem in hot summer areas south of USDA Zone 7.
Uses
Compact specimen pine for the landscape. Bonsai.