PINUS thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’ is a dwarf and compact form. This Japanese black pine (vernacular name) has dark green foliage and grows really slowly. It is also very decorative during the development of its young shoots. The subject of the photo is about 20 years old. As it ages, this conifer takes on pretty irregular shapes with rounded curves.
How to grow PINUS thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’
This Japanese black pine adapts to any type of soil. Find a location with good sunlight. It is also, like many pines and conifers, a very, very drought resistant plant*. Furthermore, this conifer resists temperatures below -20 °C. Moreover, beginners and experienced gardeners will have no trouble growing it.
History and Origin
PINUS thunbergii originates from the coastal regions of Japan and South Korea. The type species can reach a height of 40 meters, knowing that the PINUS thunbergii ‘Thunderhead will only reach a few meters. PINUS thunbergii is a two-needle pine. The bark is gray.
In North America, this pine suffers widespread mortality from the pinewood nematode (worm of the family Parasitaphelenchidae) spread by bugs. This worm was introduced to Japan by accident. As a result, the species is now threatened in its natural habitat as well.
Thanks to its resistance to pollution and salt, PINUS thunbergii is a tree widely used in horticulture and in Japanese gardens. It can be found pruned as Niwaki (Japanese pruned garden tree). In short, the branches are guided from an early age to become elegant and pleasing to the eye.
Likewise, black pine is also a classic subject used in the art of Bonsai. One of the characteristics of the Japanese Black Pine is the possibility of being able to induce a second flush of new growth. This results in improved ramification in a single season. All you have to do is, cut the young shoots at their base.
*) after approximately 2 years of growth after planting
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