MENU

AskIFAS Powered by EDIS

Pinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera': 'Umbraculifera' Japanese Red Pine1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson 2

Introduction

This cultivar of Japanese Red Pine reaches a height of 20 to 30 feet, but grows very slowly and is often seen much smaller. Needles are arranged in pairs and remain on the tree for about three years. A distinguishing feature of this tree is the upright, spreading branching habit which is uncommon in the Pine genus. The bark is unusually striking showing reddish-orange as it exfoliates. The form is compact and the tree stays small making it ideally suited for the residential yard. It can be used as a screen planted in mass or in a row, or alone as a specimen. Needles may turn yellowish during winter on some soils.

Figure 1. Young Pinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera': 'Umbraculifera' Japanese Red Pine
Figure 1.  Young Pinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera': 'Umbraculifera' Japanese Red Pine

General Information

Scientific name: Pinus densiflora
Pronunciation: PIE-nus den-sih-FLOR-uh
Common name(s): 'Umbraculifera' Japanese Red Pine
Family: Pinaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 3B through 7A (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: little invasive potential
Uses: specimen; Bonsai
Availability: not native to North America

Figure 2. Range
Figure 2.  Range

Description

Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 35 to 50 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular
Crown shape: oval
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: needle-like (filiform)
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: fragrant, evergreen, needled evergreen
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches, 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: yellow
Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: oval, cone
Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches
Fruit covering: dry or hard
Fruit color: tan
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Figure 3. Fruit
Figure 3.  Fruit

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; very showy; typically multi-trunked; thorns
Pruning requirement: little required
Breakage: susceptible to breakage
Current year twig color: green
Current year twig thickness: medium
Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
Aerosol salt tolerance: low

Other

Roots: not a problem
Winter interest: yes
Outstanding tree: yes
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant
Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

The tree prefers a site with full sun and a well-drained, slightly acid soil. Heavy clay soil is not suitable. This cultivar must be grafted for propagation.

There are a few other cultivars: `Alboterminata' - yellowish needle tips; `Aurea' - yellow needles; `Oculis-draconis' - Dragon's Eye Pine - two yellow lines on needles.

Pests

This tree is usually pest-free, with occasional scale, but the list of potential problems is long.

Diseases

Some of its diseases are needle blight and rusts. Canker diseases may cause dieback of landscape Pines. Keep trees healthy and prune out the infected branches.

Needle cast is common on small trees and plantation or forest trees. Infected needles yellow and fall off.

Footnotes

1. This document is ENH-620, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Publication #ENH-620

Release Date:March 3, 2015

Related Collections

Part of Southern Trees Fact Sheets

Related Topics

    Organism ID

    Contacts

    • Michael Andreu