Culture
Grow in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pinus tabuliformis, commonly called Chinese pine, is a conical evergreen pine that is native to northern China. It typically grows to 50-70’ tall in its native habitat, but is usually seen much smaller in cultivation. It tends to develop a somewhat flattened and spreading crown with age, hence the specific epithet of tabuliformis (table-shaped). Needles (to 6” long) in bundles of two (sometimes three) are an attractive dark green. Oval, brown cones to 3.5” long. Mature trees have reddish-scaled bark in the crown and fissured, dark gray bark near the ground.
Genus name comes from the Latin name for pines.
Specific epithet means table-shaped.
Problems
Healthy, well-maintained trees usually have few major problems. These trees may struggle in the St. Louis area where environmental conditions do not favor most conifers.