© Original: Olga Ukhvatkina; edit: MPF, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Pinus koraiensis is an evergreen conifer reaching 30-50 feet (9-15 m) tall in cultivation with a spread of 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m) and a broadly conical to pyramidal crown, becoming more open and irregular with age. A five-needle pine (subgenus Strobus), the needles are 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long, blue-green with prominent white stomatal bands on the inner surfaces creating a silvery bicolored effect, somewhat stiff, in fascicles of 5. The cones are 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long, ovoid to cylindrical, resinous, with large edible seeds (Korean pine nuts—commercially harvested). The bark is smooth gray when young, developing dark gray plates with age. Growth rate is slow. Hardy to zone 3. A commercially important nut pine in northeast Asia. Less susceptible to white pine blister rust than many other five-needle pines.
Native Range
Pinus koraiensis is native to northeast Asia—Korea, Manchuria, Japan (Honshu), and the Russian Far East—in montane forests at 2,000-6,000 feet (600-1,800 m), often with Abies spp. and hardwoods.Suggested Uses
Planted as a specimen at 15-25 foot (4.6-7.6 m) spacing. The silvery bicolored needles are a year-round feature. Edible Korean pine nuts (commercially harvested in Asia). Less susceptible to blister rust. Slow growing. Large tree. Not suitable for small gardens or sites requiring fast growth.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height30' - 50'
Width/Spread15' - 25'
Reaches mature size in approximately 35 years
Bloom Information
Male strobili shed pollen in May-June. Female cones mature in 2 years to 3-5 inches (8-13 cm), ovoid to cylindrical, resinous, with large edible seeds (Korean pine nuts).Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Male strobili May-Jun; female cones ovoid to cylindrical 3-5 inches resinous; large edible seeds (Korean pine nuts); 2-year maturationFoliage Description
Blue-green with prominent white stomatal bands; stiff needles 3-5 inches in fascicles of 5; silvery bicolored effectGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight