What Types of Pine Trees are Found in Japan?
Pine trees are known to people throughout the world and these beloved Evergreen conifers, which means they are woody plants that are cone-bearing, are respected for their adaptability to different climates as well as their toughness and durability. These trees have been the subject of many stories as well as legends over the past centuries and, in today’s world, they are important cultural symbols for many people.
They are very adaptable since they can grow in subtropical regions as well as more temperate ones and can even tolerate cold temperatures. Pine trees can withstand rocky soil, and even wind and drought while they develop an amazing character as they age with the proper pruning or just simply from the effects of the wind and temperature in which they thrive.
The pine tree is also known as the genus Pinus. It is part of the Pinaceae family, which has a long history of existence, since it can be traced back to the Jurassic Period, about 130 to 200 million years ago. Over these millions of years, over 100 different species of pine trees have developed. Some are small to medium-sized shrubs that are rounded, while others are over 250 feet in height and are narrow. Countries that have the most different types of pine tree species are Mexico with about 60 different types, the United States with about 45, and China with about 21 different types of pine trees. Japan has plenty of its own types of pine trees. Read on for more information on Japanese pine trees.
Pine trees are considered to be conifers but they are different than others in that group since they are not very tolerant to shade. This means they require a lot of sun and well-drained drier types of soil and are among some of the first trees to grow in an area that has been burned by fire. They like to grow in open ground where there’s less plant density due to drought or fire, so they are normally not very dominant in what is referred to as climax community forests.
Most pine tree species can live for at least 100 years and even longer, up to 400 years. Some are even 5,000 years old. The pine foliage of these trees is needle-shaped and grows in clusters known as fascicles that are attached to the branches of the trees. Depending on which type of pine tree, these bundles of pine needles can contain two, three, or even five needles that are held together by a sheath. Older needles are shed while these newer needles are held together within the sheaths for at least two years. The narrow shape of the trees and branches does not allow for heavy snow accumulation, which means the branches suffer breakage less often than other types of trees. The needles are coated with a substance called cutin which feels like wax and does not allow for much water evaporation so that the cells are protected from freezing during the cold winter months. New branches do develop each year in a circle around the trunk of pine trees and their bark is typically very thick and rough and even scaly.
Pine Trees Have Purpose
Pine trees produce cones that are considered to be dry fruits better surrounded by woody scales that overlap each other and then separate to release seeds. Pine trees are monoecious which means individual trees are able to produce both female and male cones. The male cones release pollen which is then spread around by wind as well as gravity, and the female cones are larger and contain the seeds between the scales that surround them. The types of pine trees with large seeds, which are known as pine nuts, are considered to be good sources of food.
Larger pine trees are very valuable to the fuel and timber industries. The pine trees sport a resin that helps protect them from fungal infections as well as insects that can be detrimental to their lifespan, is used to produce a variety of other useful products, such as wood tars, turpentine, and pine-wood oils.
Pine Trees of Japan Have Meaning
Pine trees are the most dominant native plant in the country of Japan and have been, and still are comment the most important tree in Japanese gardens. They are known as Matsu and are very much a part of Japan’s original religion of Shintoism. The people who followed this religion viewed the pine trees as yorishiro, which is a place that is capable of attracting the gods known as kami. The word Matsu actually means waiting for a god’s soul to descend down from heaven. Matsu is actually a verb that means to wait and in some cultures its meaning relates to waiting for a lover to appear. Overall, pine trees inspire the idea of at least waiting for a resolution to a difficult situation.
Pine trees in Japan are associated with longevity and endurance. This is not just because pine trees are evergreens and can live for hundreds of years but also because of the poetic image of Mount Horai which is covered in pine trees and is known as the “Island of the Eight Immortals.”
Types of Japanese Pine Trees
Japanese Black Pine
The Japanese Black Pine Tree, also known as the Pinus thunbergia or Kuro Matsu, is considered to be a seacoast native. This tree is native to Japan as well as Southern Korea. It is a very hardy tree with a USDA Zone five rating since the minimum temperature it can withstand is -20 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. This tree needs full sunlight but well-drained soil that is very fertile to be able to grow and prosper. It is very tolerant of drought and the heat of summer as well as cold winds that are salty and sandy-type soils. The Japanese black pine tree is a very dense tree since its dark green needles are very crowded and are about two and a half inches to four inches long.
The needles are very stiff and sharply pointed while spreading outward and even a little twisted. The upright buds known as candles on this tree are also pointed and are silvery-white in color. Seed cones that are not yet mature will eventually emerge as beautiful magenta-colored needles either alone or in a group known as clusters. During the second fall of this tree, it will mature into a brownish oval-shaped tree with needles that are one and a half to two and a half inches long. Older trees develop a bark that is blackish-gray in color and rough since it is deeply fissured. This is the reason it is known as the two-needled black pine tree.
The Japanese Red Pine Tree
The Japanese Red Pine tree is also known as the Pinus densiflora as well as Matsu which is translated to be Japanese Red Pine. This tree is native to hillsides as well as lower mountain areas. This tree symbolizes eternity and endurance and has appeared in Japanese gardens as well as in Japanese literature and art. Just like the black pine tree, this tree can reach 60 feet or more in height when it grows in the wild under favorable climate conditions. This tree is good for use in gardens since you can prune it down to be as small as you want it to and it will still thrive and flourish.
This tree is also a two-needle pine tree and has been used as timber to construct both bridges and buildings. It has a high resin content so its wood is very resistant to rot and is very strong and durable. In ancient temples, you can still see beams that are made of red pine since they were used in the construction of the temples. When it comes to creating a hot burning fuel for things like pottery kilns, red pine is usually preferred over hardwoods. This tree is also used to create implements, turpentine, varnish, and even musical instruments. It is very much valued as an ornamental tree and is even sometimes used for Christmas trees as well as in private and public gardens and temple gardens.
The beautiful red and black pine trees of Japan are popular throughout the world since they are easy to care for in gardens and beautiful to look at while on a walk or hike.
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