1 named cultivar

‘Golden Ghost’Golden Ghost Pine

tree

Pine

Pinus densiflora

The Story

Plant Bio

Pinus densiflora, Japanese red pine, is a needled evergreen tree from eastern temperate Asia reaching forty to sixty feet in both directions, often with an irregular, picturesquely leaning habit. Bright to dark green needles three to five inches long are carried in bundles of two, and the flaking orange-red bark of the upper trunk is its most striking feature.

The orange-red bark is what it is grown for, and it shows best on an open-grown tree where the upper trunk is visible — crowded among other trees, the feature is lost. Its naturally irregular form is why it is a mainstay of Japanese gardens and a classic bonsai subject. Give it full sun and free drainage; it will not tolerate wet ground.

Uses & Benefits:

Flaking orange-red upper bark and an irregular, characterful branch structure.

Drought tolerant once established, and one of the classic species for bonsai training.

Supports imperial moth larvae, and the seed feeds songbirds and small mammals.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

600 inches

Width

600 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern temperate Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Allow forty to sixty feet in both directions.
Plant in full sun; it will not thrive in shade.
Give it well-drained soil and avoid wet sites.
Site it where the upper trunk stays visible.
Water through the first few summers only.
Prune candles in spring if shaping is wanted.

Pro Tip

The orange bark only reads on an open-grown tree — crowd it among others and you lose the single reason to plant it.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it full sun and free drainage ☀️
Site it so the trunk is visible 👀
Allow it fifty feet of spread 📏
Pinch candles in spring to shape ✂️

Don't

Plant it in wet or heavy soil ❌
Crowd it among other trees ❌
Assume the dwarf forms reach full size ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Inspect
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen tree for bark and formJapanese and Asian-style gardensBonsai and container culture

Companion Plants

Japanese Maple Azalea Hakone Grass Moss Hosta

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Pine questions

What zones can Pine grow in?

Pine is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Pine deer resistant?

Yes — Pine is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Pine bloom?

Pine typically blooms in spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Pine need full sun?

Pine does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Pine drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Pine handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.