Pinus contorta

Pinus contorta (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 15m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Pinaceae

Pinus contorta Leaf (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Pinus contorta is a fast growing evergreen tree with a conical to narrowly rounded crown. There is significant genetic variation within this variety of tree. Its pale green leaves are needle like with a serrated edge, up to 8cm long, 2mm across and appear in pairs. Its grey/ brown bark is platy to furrowed. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 90cm. Its flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female on the same plant) and are wind pollinated. Its pale red/ brown fruit are pendant ovoid cones, up to 6cm long and 4cm across.

Pinus contorta Cone (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Pinus contorta,  commonly known as Longpole Pine, Shore Pine, Beach Pine or Twisted Pine, is native to west North America. In its native habitat it grows near ocean shores and in dry mountain forests. This tree is considered an invasive species in New Zealand.

The etymological root of the binomial name Pinus is from the ancient Latin name for the Pine tree. Contorta is derived from the Latin contortum meaning ‘tangled’.

The landscape architect may find Pinus contorta useful as an evergreen tree. This tree is tolerant of maritime conditions and air pollution. Once established this tree is drought tollerant.

Pinus contorta Bark (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Pinus contorta seed is attractive to some birds and mammals.

Pinus contorta prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It tolerates nutrient poor soils.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the variety Pinus contorta ‘Chief Joseph’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Pinus contorta requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Keteleeria davidiana

Keteleeria davidiana (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Garden, Kyoto, Japan)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 40m

Eventual Spread: 25m

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Pinaceae

Keteleeria davidiana is an evergreen confer tree with a broad upright habit. Its leathery dark green leaves are needle like, flattened, up to 6cm long and 4mm broad. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 2m. Its dull brown/ grey bark is fissured and flaking. Its flowers are monoecious. Its erect fruit are light brown ovoid cones, up to 20cm long and 5cm broad.

Keteleeria davidiana Leaf (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Garden, Kyoto, Japan)

Keteleeria davidiana, commonly known as Chinese Keteleeria, is native to Taiwan, south east China and north Vietnam. In its native habitat it grows in mixed woodland at an elevation of 200m – 1500m in a continental type climate. Keteleeria davidiana is synonymous with Pseudotsuga davidiana.

The etymological root of the binomial name Keteleeria is named after Jean Baptiste Keteleer (1813 – 1903), a French nurseryman. Davidiana is named after Father Armand David (1826 – 1900), a french missionary and naturalist.

Keteleeria davidiana Bark (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Garden, Kyoto, Japan)

The landscape architect may find Keteleeria davidiana useful as an unusual evergreen specimen tree. Once established this tree is drought tollerant. It requires warm summers to flourish.

Ecologically, Keteleeria davidiana seeds are attractive to some birds and mammals.

Keteleeria davidiana prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Keteleeria davidiana requires little maintenance.

Landscape Architecture

Pinus thunbergii

Pinus thunbergii (01/04/2015, Nezu Museum, Tokyo, Japan)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 40m

Eventual Spread: 20m

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Pinaceae

Pinus thunbergii is an evergreen tree with a conical habit that becomes more domed with age. Its dark green leaves are needle like, up to 12cm long, 2mm across and appear in pairs. Its grey/ black bark is rough and scaly. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 2m. Its flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female on the same plant) and are wind pollinated. Its fruit are ovoid cones, up to 6cm long and 4cm across.

Pinus thunbergii Leaf (01/04/2015, Nezu Museum, Tokyo, Japan)

Pinus thunbergii, commonly known as the Japanese Black Pine, Black Pine or Kuromatsu, is native to coastal regions of Japan and south Korea. In Japan this tree is used for Niwaki and Bonsai. It should be noted that this tree has recently been under attack by the North American pinewood nemetode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and blue stain fungus (Ophiostoma minus).

The etymological root of the binomial name Pinus is from the ancient Latin name for the Pine tree. Thunbergii is named after Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828), a Swedish botanist and physician.

The landscape architect may find Pinus thunbergii useful as an urban tree due to its pollution and salt tolerance. Once established this tree is drought tollerant.

Ecologically, Pinus thunbergii seed is attractive to some birds and mammals.

Pinus thunbergii Bark (01/04/2015, Nezu Museum, Tokyo, Japan)

Pinus thunbergii prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the variety Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Pinus thunbergii requires little maintenance. This tree is extremely tolerant of pruning.