Pinus densiflora

Pinus densiflora, also called the Japanese red pine,^[3] the Japanese pine,^[4] or Korean red pine,^[5] is a species of pine tree native to East Asia and Siberia.

Pinus densiflora
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Pinaceae
Genus:	Pinus
Subgenus:	P. subg. Pinus
Section:	P. sect. Pinus
Subsection:	P. subsect. Pinus
Species:	P. densiflora
Binomial name
Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc.
Synonyms[2]
Pinus funebris Kom. Pinus japonica Forbes nom. illeg. Pinus scopifera Miq.

Distribution and habitat

P. densiflora has a home range that includes Japan, the Korean peninsula, northeastern China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong and northeastern Jiangsu) and the extreme southeast of Russia (in Siberia, southern Primorsky Krai).

Name

The tree is called "Akamatsu (アカマツ)" in Japanese. The etymology behind "Akamatsu" is a combination of "red" or "aka (赤/あか)", and "pine" or "matsu (まつ/松)". The meaning behind "aka" means "red", most likely alluding to the bark color whereas "matsu" is believed to have derived from the word "to wait (待つ/matsu)" as the tree was believed to have "waited for the arrival of the gods (kami)" or "waited throughout winter".

In Korean, the tree is called "Sonamu (소나무)", meaning "So-tree". The meaning behind "so" is believed to be from "sol (솔)" an ancient word that means "pine", making "Sonamu/So-tree" mean "pine tree".

In China, the plant is known as "chì sōng (赤松)", sharing the characters and meaning of "red pine" with Japanese. It most likely adopted the name from the Japanese counterpart.

Description

The leaves are needle-like, 8–12 centimetres (3–4+1⁄2 inches) long, with two per fascicle. The short leaves are 5–6 cm. There are stomatal lines on both sides of the leaf, two vascular bundles, about three to nine resin canals, and fine serrations on the edge of the leaf. Branchlets with more or less white powder. Male cones are light reddish yellow, clustered in the lower part of new branches, female cones are light reddish purple, solitary or clustered in two to three clusters. The cones are dark brown yellow or light brown yellow when mature, they dehiscent at maturity, seed scales usually thin, seed winged. The bark is orange-red, cracked into irregular scale-like pieces. Heartwood reddish brown, sapwood light reddish yellow. The height of the tree is 20–35 metres (66–115 feet). The crown can reach 30 metres (98 feet).^[6][7][8]

"The distribution of P. densiflora in China has the following pattern of variation: the more northward it is distributed, the needles are relatively shorter, the white powder on the branchlets is sometimes less obvious or partly obvious, and the color of the cones is lighter. It is light brown yellow".^[6]

The cones are 4–7 cm (1+1⁄2–3 in) long. It is closely related to Scots pine, differing in the longer, slenderer leaves which are mid-green without the glaucous-blue tone of Scots pine. This pine has become a popular ornamental and has several cultivars, but in the winter it becomes yellowish. The plant prefers full sun on well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Uses

Strong wind resistance, P. densiflora is an excellent tree species for afforestation in stony mountains, barren soil and sandy land. The timber can be used for construction, electric poles, sleepers, ore pillars, furniture, and wood fiber industrial raw materials. The trunk is rich in resin, from which rosin and turpentine can be extracted. Essential oil can be extracted from the leaves. In northeast China, matsutake relies on P. densiflora for growth. "Jilin Tianfozhishan National Nature Reserve/Jilin Tianfozhishan National Nature Reserve" takes Matsutake, P. densiflora and ecosystem as the main protection objects. P. densiflora wood has natural anti-corrosion and anti-mildew properties, and natural preservatives and natural wood anti-mold agents can be extracted. P. densiflora has non-stinging needles and soft branches, making it easy to shape as a penjing.^[6][8]

Gallery

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  Planted in a Japanese park
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  Cultivated Japanese Red Pine 'Pendula' in Huntington Library's Japanese Garden
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  Planted in Japanese garden
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  Var. "Umbraculifera'
  "Tanyosho pine"
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  Planted in New York Botanical Garden
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  Pinus densiflora range map