Bristlecone Pine vs Japanese Black Pine - TreeTime.ca

Bristlecone Pine vs Japanese Black Pine

Pinus thunbergii

Pinus aristata

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

(new stock expected: fall of 2027)

Japanese Black Pine
Bristlecone Pine

Japanese Black Pine is known for its unique and irregular growth habit, making it a striking landscape addition. It typically does not grow with a central leader. This causes it to form a flat-top, classic bonsai-like shape when mature. When it has a central leader, it will grow with a twisted trunk. Another striking feature is the white apical buds which contrast with the surrounding green needles.

The Japanese Black Pine is an excellent candidate for a bonsai tree and is frequently used by the bonsai community. It is found along the Japanese coast and is salt tolerant.

Bristlecone Pine is a small to medium evergreen with an irregular habit and contorted branches.

This extremely long-lived tree is relatively low maintenance and drought-tolerant.

It is known for its deep green to blue-green needles flecked with white resin, and its thin, scaly, grey-brown bark. Because it is extremely slow-growing, Bristlecone Pine is well suited to smaller properties.

Japanese Black Pine Quick Facts

Bristlecone Pine Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 2a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: extremely slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Cones: purple ripening to yellow
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: black pine, green pine, japanese pine, pinus thunbergiana, thunberg pine
Other Names: colorado bristlecone pine, foxtail pine, hickory pine, rocky mountain bristlecone pine