Pinus koraiensis

Korean pine

NE Asia (Korea, Manchuria, Japan Honshu, Russian Far East; montane forests 2000-6000 ft / 600-1800 m; commercial nut pine)

Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–7

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

Distinguished from P. armandii by the shorter, stiffer needles (3-5 inches versus 4-7 inches drooping) with more prominent white stomatal bands, and the smaller cones (3-5 inches versus 4-8 inches). Distinguished from P. albicaulis by the much larger size and the dehiscent (opening) cones. The five-needle pine with silvery-banded blue-green stiff needles, medium-sized resinous cones with edible seeds, and smooth gray young bark is diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 50'

Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 35 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

blue

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

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 maturation

Foliage Description

Blue-green with prominent white stomatal bands; stiff needles 3-5 inches in fascicles of 5; silvery bicolored effect

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.0-7.0). Hardy to zone 3. Less susceptible to white pine blister rust than many five-needle pines. Tolerates light shade when young. Slow growing.

Pruning

No routine pruning needed. Maintain central leader when young. The broadly conical form develops naturally.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Trees