The Japanese Black Pine – Kuro matsu – Thunderhead Pine
This is the compact form of the very popular Japanese Black Pine that is so widely used in Bonsai.
Its natural growth habit is anything but symmetrical, and as it grows it naturally forms tufts of foliage. This habit makes it an excellent choice for cloud pruning as well as topiary.
The common name of Thunderhead, is a reference to the growth habit, thunderheads of foliage.
If left to its own devices, it will form a sculptural piece by itself. If pruned, these plants can be works of art.
The Black Pine is almost exclusively used in the art of “Niwaki’. Here they are sculptured and pruned into into classical shapes. Niwaki simply means Garden Tree.
With very deep green foliage and a slow growth habit.
A few other worthwhile features are the tolerances of this plant.
It will grow in full sun to part shade, it grows is well drained soil and once established is regarded as drought tolerant once established.
It is also slow and low growing, so unlike some other conifers, it will not become a take over merchant. It is distinguished from the Red and White pines by its Chunky Bark.
Basic Care
In a well drained soil and a sunny position this is a very easy care plant.
To keep your Black Pine happy avoid overwatering, and under watering especially when first established.
Good drainage is essential. Once established, it can grow in fairly dry conditions.it can survive in coastal soils and poor soils.
Pruning Your Black Pine
Pruning by ‘candling’ and other selective pruning will keep them much smaller and of course, bonsai techniques, will give you a really small specimen.
Pruning is not actually required, however it is for Bonsai and Topiary that this plant is most commonly grown.
Whats In A Name?
Pinus thunbergii is named after Carl Peter Thunberg and the cultivar ‘Thunderhed’ is from Angelica Nursery in Kennedyville, Maryland in the USA.
It is often pruned, especially cloud pruned, and Thunderhead pine is an apt name for this attractive landscape plant that can be easily be shaped over a number of years to create wonderful feature trees.
Summary Details.
- Botanical name – Pinus thunbergii
- Common Name – Japanese Black Pine and Thunderhead Pine
- Origins – Japan
- Position – Full sun
- Soil – Well drained
- Foliage – Typical needle like foliage that is tufted.
- Fertiliser – A high nitrogen fertiliser will improve growth rate’
Varieties
You will find a number of named varieties, although not all are readily available.
- Pinus thunbergii ‘Kyokko Nishiki’ – A smaller growing cultivar of the Japanese Black Pine.
- Japanese Black Pine Coolwyn Kotobuki – This is a compact growing and slow growing variety well suited to Japanese style gardens.
- Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’ tends to have a more upright/columnar growth habit
- The ‘Yatsubusa’ variety means dwarf. Also Gekka Yatsuba, Ban-Sho-Ho and Koto-Buki
- Pinus thunbergii ‘Emerys Dwarf’
- Nishiki means cork barked.
- Mikawa has a deeply fissured bark which gives it an aged look earlier on than the others.
Pinus thunbergii is available for sale from the following nurseries
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au
