What: Nothing else has the unique growth habit of Pinus densiflora Umbraculifera, or Tanyosho pine, not to mention its wonderful combination of ornamental attributes. It grows slowly into a flat-topped tree, hence the nickname tabletop pine. Each branch radiates out in a vase-like pattern from its strong main trunk. Bright green needles are very thin and soft to the touch, they are held aristocratically at the ends of its branches. Bark on the trunk and main braches flakes and peels to reveal a rusty, orange-red inner layer that provides a counterpoint to tanyosho pine’s green needles.
Where: The slow growing pine is best in full sun. It prefers well-drained or sandy soil, but will tolerate clay if the drainage is adequate. Use this pine as a specimen in the garden. Mature tanyosho pines can be underplanted with rhododendrons or low-growing cultivars of Japanese maple. Plants with deep green foliage complement the color of this pine’s beautiful bark.
Size: Ten inches high by 8 feet wide in 10 years.
Care: Once established it is completely drought tolerant, although it appreciates occasional watering during prolonged dry weather. The roots are tolerant of restricted zones making it great for patio planters and large containers. Ice and snow can break the branches of this pine. When it is young it can be beneficial to thin the stems to create a more open sturdy trunk. This pine is relatively pest free. Occasionally pine shoot moth can infect the new growth. This can easily be remedied by the timely removal of any wilting or dying shoots in spring.
— greatplantpicks.org
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