| Plant of the Month - July 2005 |
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by Chub Harper
Pinus koraiensis
Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) is a much admired pine that is underused in the landscape. Since it is rarely seen in the trade and landscape it deservedly needs to be given more attention and utilized more in the landscape.
This pine grows as an upright pyramid that grows to about 50-60' with a spread at the base of 20-25'. It is classified as a large growing conifer based on the *ACS Size Category chart which means it will attain an approximate size of 15' in ten years with an annual growth rate of 12-15" per year. The dense growth makes it an excellent choice for a visual screen, windbreak or a sight and sound barrier. It makes an excellent back ground for other conifers and landscape plants.
This species is not bothered with disease and insect problems that are now troubling most of the Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) growing in the Midwest. These two species are no longer recommended for planting in this area. This pine makes an excellent choice as a replacement for these two pine species.
With its long graceful needles in bundles of five, it gives a beautiful soft appearance. On many of the cultivars the needles are a distinct blue color making it even more attractive. In the Heartland Collection of Conifers at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum there are a number of notable cultivars. If you have space limitations you might consider using some of the compact growing cultivars that are rated more in the intermediate size category. One of the more well known forms that fits this size category is called 'Compacta Glauca'.
There are currently seven different cultivars of Korean Pine growing in the Heartland Collection for your viewing. There is a "Plant List" available for this collection so one can do a self-guided tour. All of the plants are well labeled. Reward yourself and check us out and view these plants as they are growing in the collection.
*American Conifer Society - Size Categories adopted 2002
Editor's note:
About the author: Justin "Chub" Harper had served more than twenty years on the Bickelhaupt Arboretum Board of Directors when he became an Advisory Board member in 2005. As a young man he attended the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture. He developed a life-long interest for different plants such as bearded Iris, Hemerocallis, African Violets, Roses, and Ornamental Grasses. He has developed a passion for collecting and propagating dwarf and rare conifers. In 1963 he began a 24 year tenure as Grounds Maintenance Supervisor at Deere & Company, Administrative Center in Moline, Illinois. He operates "Harper Horticulture Consultants" and continues volunteer arboretum consulting and program presentations. The Bickelhaupt Arboretum is very fortunate to have had Mr. Harper on its Board of Directors and now, its Advisory Board. |
Probably the most popular is one called 'Silveray' that has long silvery steel colored needles. Another popular one is 'Jack Corbit'.