Korean black pine is a small tree with irregular shape. The tree can reach a maximum height of 25 feet and can spread over 20 to 35 feet. The tree has dark green leaves that are 5-7 inches long, twisting into needles and forming a group of two. The tree does not have a central trunk and is prune to develop if it is grows to a large size. Branches can sometimes outgrow the central trunk and form an attractive multi stemmed tree.
The tree is excellent for horticulture as it is tolerant to pollution and salt. The tree is widely used as a garden tree in both trained and untrained forms. The trunk and branches of the tree undergo training from the young age of the plant to make it more elegant and attractive to view. It is one of the popular subjects of bonsai, which requires patience in training the tree for many years. One can find many Korean Black Pine bonsai in the leading nurseries.
The tree is evergreen and does not change or have a leaf fall during winters. The leaf of the tree gives fragrance. The female cones of the tree are 4-7 cm in length and scaled. Male cones are 1-2 cm long and formed in bunches during spring. The color of the flower is yellow which blooms in spring. However, the flower is not too noticeable. The bark of the young plants is brown and it gradually changes to black as the trunk develops and the tree turns older. The tree also bears fruits, which are oval, 1-3 inches long and brown in color. The fruits are not attractive for the wild life, and the foliage creates significant litter.
Korean black pine droops as it grows. Hence, it requires pruning to support the vehicular or pedestrian clearance beneath the canopy. The tree can grow either in full sunlight or even in sunshade. It can tolerate clay, loan, sand, acidic, alkaline, soils. There should be a well-drained system of water to help the growth of the plant. The propagation is through the seed and they germinate readily.
Though any serious pests do not affect the Korean black pine, there are few like bark beetles, caterpillar, adelgids, and pine shoot moth, which do affect. Bark beetles can attack the trees, drilling holes into the trunk and are scattered almost on the whole trunk. The stress in the trees makes them more easily prone attacks. Hence, one has to keep the Korean Black pine always healthy. The pine shot moths will cause the fall of young shoots and the infected shoots may give off resin. Insects affect the shoots generally during the month of May. Use of pesticides should start from April to avoid them to cause damage.
It would be a rewarding experience in growing the Korean black pines. You need to prune, do a good gardening, and watch the needle cast. You can bear the satisfaction of raising it ones it spreads across giving the beautiful view to the entire place.