Pinus bungeana (Lacebark Pine)
Michael's Opinion
A beautiful specimen tree with exfoliating bark as its key feature. The mosaic of green, white and brown bark can be showcased by removing the lower branches. Has been used for bonsai and would be lovely in a woodland garden.
Botanical Information
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Genus | Pinus |
| Species | bungeana |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | Northwest and Central China introduced into cultivation in North America in 1846; cultivated in temple gardens in its native region. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 4 - 8 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 2a - 8a |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H4 - H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -35 - (-7) |
| Temperature (°F) | -30 - 20 |
| Height | 9 - 15 m |
| Spread | 6 - 10 m |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | June |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Picturesque, multi-stemmed upright, oval tree. As it ages it develops a flattened canopy. |
| ID Characteristic | Colourful, peeling bark; needles in 3’s are very stiff and rigid and sharp to the touch, multi-trunked. |
| Shape | Pyramidal to rounded and often multi stemmed, becoming flat topped as it ages. |
| Landscape | Specimen for large areas; has been underutilized and would make excellent substitutes for species such as Pinus strobus or Pinus sylvestris. |
| Propagation | Seed in individual pots in cold frame with short stratification period or grafting; will only graft successfully on a 5 needle pine. |
| Cultivation | Prefers well-drained soil, full sun; cut or pinch back new candles when finished growing, heavy snow/ ice can inflict damage. |
| Pests | Nothing notable (likely due to rareness). |
| Notable Specimens | Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The United States National Arboretum, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America. |
| Habitat | Mud and sandstone shales; often found in limestone. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Peeling layers of brown, white and green patches fading to chalky white. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Globular bottom that is tan brown which tapers to a point of dark brown. |
| Leaf Description | 3 needles, stiff, up to 10 cm long, sharp-pointed, finely toothed margins, sharp to the touch. |
| Flower Description | Inconspicuous, monoecious, non-ornamental; males are cylindrical, yellowish in clusters and females are yellow-green. |
| Fruit Description | Yellow brown cones, up to 7 cm long and 5 cm wide, terminal or lateral; subsessile, ovoid. |
| Colour Description | Lustrous medium to dark green; stem is greyish green, shining and glabrous. |
| Texture Description | Medium to thick density. |
Photographs
A tree at Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Pinus bungeana 'Diamant'