Bonsai Pine Tree Types: Pine Species You May Consider
Pines are able to naturally take on a wide variety of forms, and as a result, they lend themselves to practically all bonsai techniques. As pine trees age, the outer layer of their bark develops a scaly or flaky appearance.
There must be an understanding of the nature of each bonsai pine tree types in order to treat it per its characteristics.
Jump To
- Mexican weeping pine bonsai
- Ponderosa pine bonsai
- Scots Pine Bonsai
- Jerusalem pine bonsai
- Mountain pine bonsai
- Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)
- Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana)
- Pinus thunbergii (Japanese black pine)
- Pinus parviflora (Japanese white pine)
- Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta)
- Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis)
Can Any Pine Tree Be A Bonsai?
One of the most common species used for bonsai is the pine tree. The Pinaceae family contains more than one hundred different types of pine bonsai, which means there is a bonsai suitable for every level of bonsai enthusiast. This is a tough and versatile tree that responds well to being pruned and trained in various ways.
How Do You Start A Bonsai Pine Tree?
Choose a potting container with adequate drainage for your pine tree. Choose a pot that has a height that is proportional to the diameter of the tree’s trunk and a breadth that is approximately two-thirds as wide as the tree is tall.
Make sure that the soil mixture you use for the pine bonsai has good drainage. Use two parts of sandstones or grit, one part of pure sphagnum, and one part of clean pinkish bark in your bonsai mix. Maintaining the health of all bonsai pine tree types requires regular pruning.
Bonsai Pine Snapshot
Before we dig deeper into all types of pine bonsai, let’s take a look at its general characteristics:
| Scientific name | Pinus Bonsai |
| Common name | Bonsai Pine |
| Lifespan | 100+ years |
| Plant type | Evergreen coniferous |
| Size | 60-80 inches |
| Native land | N. America, China, Russia, Europe, and South-East Asia |
| Growing conditions | Water: Can’t tolerate drought
Sunlight: Full Exposure Soil type: Sandy, peaty soil Soil PH: 5.5 – 6.5 Temperature: warm temperatures (64-75 degrees Fahrenheit) Fertilizer: Regular fertilization |
How Many Varieties of Pine Bonsai Do You Know?
Learn everything about the bonsai pine tree types here:
A. Mexican Weeping Pine Bonsai
Mexican weeping pine is one of the most famous types of pine bonsai:
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus patula
|
| Common name | Patula Pine Bonsai, Patula Pine Bonsai, Spreading-leaved pine |
| Native land | Mexico |
| Lifespan | 200 years |
| Size | 60-125 inches |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: -10° C above
Soil type: Well-draining soil Water: Regularly Sunlight: Direct sunlight Fertilizer: Not needed |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Hardiness Zones | 7-10 |
B. Ponderosa Pine Bonsai
Pine bonsai species have Pinus ponderosa which is also known as blackjack pine.
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus ponderosa
|
| Common name | ponderosa pine, bull pine, blackjack pine, western yellow-pine, filipinus pine |
| Native land | Western North America |
| Lifespan | 500+ years |
| Size | 60 – 125 feet |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: -10° C above
Soil: Well-drained Soil pH: Acidic & Alkaline Water: Drought resistant Sunlight: Full sun Fertilizer: Mild fertilizer |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-7, USDA |
C. Scots Pine Bonsai
The next bonsai pine tree types are the Scots pine bonsai:
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus sylvestris
|
| Common name | Scots pine, scotch pine, baltic pine |
| Native land | Eurasia |
| Lifespan | 150-300 years |
| Size | 60 – 130 feet |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: -64° C above
Soil: Acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, dry Soil pH: Alkaline (7.5) Water: Drought resistant Sunlight: Full sun |
| Growth rate | Slow to medium |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-7, USDA |
D. Jerusalem Pine Bonsai
Jerusalem pine bonsai are the next types of pine bonsai
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus halepensis
|
| Common name | Alepppo pine, jerusalem pine |
| Native land | Europe |
| Lifespan | 180+ years |
| Size | 25 m |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: -18° C above
Soil: Well-drained Soil pH: Acidic & Alkaline Water: Drought resistant Sunlight: Full sun |
| Growth rate | Slow- medium |
| Hardiness Zones | 8-10, USDA |
E. Mountain Pine Bonsai
The mountain pine bonsai is next on our list of bonsai pine tree types:
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus mugo
|
| Common name | Bog pine, creeping pine, mountain pine, scrub mountain pine, dwarf mountain pine, mugo pine, swiss mountain pine |
| Native land | Central Europe, Southeast Europe |
| Lifespan | 50+ years |
| Size | 90cm – 150cm |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: -50°F above
Soil: Clay, loam, chalk, sand Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.5 Water: Biweekly watering Sunlight: Direct sunlight Fertilizer: Mild fertilizer |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-7, USDA |
F. Pitch Pine (Pinus Rigida)
Candlewood pine, commonly known as pitch pine is one of the popular pine bonsai types.
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus rigida
|
| Common name | pitch pine, candlewood pine, torch pine |
| Native land | North America |
| Lifespan | 200 years |
| Size | 40 -100 feet |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: -25° F above
Soil: Acidic, sandy, dry, rocky Soil pH: 5.0-6.5 Water: Drought resistant Sunlight: Full sun Fertilizer: Mild fertilizer |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-7, USDA |
G. Virginia Pine (Pinus Virginiana)
Virginia Pine is yet another bonsai pine tree types:
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus Virginia
|
| Common name | Virginia pine, scrub pine, Jersey pine, Possum pine |
| Native land | Eastern United States |
| Lifespan | 50 years |
| Size | 40 to 70 feet |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: 75° F
Soil: sandy, loamy, clay, well-drained Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 Water: Drought resistant Sunlight: Full sun |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-8, USDA |
H. Pinus Thunbergii (Japanese Black Pine)
Japanese black pine, yet another member of the pine bonsai species is famous in Japan and Korea.
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus thunbergii
|
| Common name | Japanese Black Pine, Japanese Pine |
| Native land | Japan, South Korea |
| Lifespan | 150 years |
| Size | 20 – 60 feet |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: -25° F above
Soil: Clay, loamy, chalk, sand Soil pH: 5.0-6.5 Water: Drought resistant Sunlight: Full sun |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Hardiness Zones | 5 – 8, USDA |
Related: Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Winter Care
I. Pinus Parviflora (Japanese White Pine)
The next one in the list of bonsai pine tree types, we have Japanese white pine.
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus parviflora
|
| Common name | Japanese white pine |
| Native land | Japan |
| Lifespan | 200 years |
| Size | 30 – 50 feet |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: Between – 60 to -50° C
Soil: Clay, loam, sand Soil pH: 4.0 – 7.5 Water: Regular watering Sunlight: Full sun |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Hardiness Zones | 6 – 9, USDA |
J. Lodgepole Pine (Pinus Contorta)
Commonly known as shore pine, this is another pine bonsai species
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus contorta |
| Common name | lodgepole pine, shore pine, twisted pine, contorta pine |
| Native land | Western United States, Canada |
| Lifespan | 150 – 200 years |
| Size | 70 – 80 feet |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: Between 113 and 140° F
Soil: moist loamy soil Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.5 Water: Drought resistant Sunlight: Full sun |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-8, USDA |
K. Limber Pine (Pinus Flexilis)
The last in the list of pine bonsai types, we have Limber Pine.
| About the plant | |
| Scientific name | Pinus flexilis
|
| Common name | Limber pine, rocky mountain white pine |
| Native land | Western United States, Mexico, Canada |
| Lifespan | 2000+years |
| Size | 40 – 70 feet |
| Growing conditions | Temperature: 50° C
Soil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand Soil pH: 5.0-6.5 Water: Drought resistant Sunlight: Full sun |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-7, USDA |
Related: Adequate Sunlight
Most pine trees thrive in full sun all year long. The strong sunlight helps to shorten the length of the needles and promotes the development during the first and subsequent growth flushes. As long as the tree isn’t getting enough sunshine, its needles will keep growing.
Sufficient Water Supply
Drainage is essential for Bonsai pines since they do not enjoy being overwatered or sitting in a wet pot. It is mostly during the second wave of growth that excessive water might result in unmanageable needle lengths in some plants. Regular sprinkling will benefit your plant.
Fertilizing and Preparing the Soil
If you want to keep the different pine bonsai types in good health, you need to fertilize the tree with a slow-release, solid organic fertilizer from the beginning of spring until the end of fall. Allow your bonsai to rest throughout the winter months when it is dormant. Avoid using fertilizers that are high in nitrogen content.
Pruning Session
With patience and dexterity, you must be careful not to remove too much of the plant’s growth and foliage when pruning pine bonsai. For pine bonsai, the vertical growth of the tree takes precedence over horizontal growth.
When you prune, you need to give careful consideration to the fact that whatever pine bonsai species you have, it will sprout new needles at the very tip of the branches and at their farthest reaches.
Repotting Phase
It is recommended that the length of a replanting program ranges from two to five years. However, the rate of root growth is what ultimately determines when to plant.
Free-draining soil must be used for repotting pines in the spring as the blooming season begins. To keep the tree from getting root-bound, you should wash and trim the roots with care.
Potential pathogens and parasitic pests
These diseases include aphids, scale, caterpillar, and root rot in pines as well as fungal infections. It is critical to begin therapy as soon as possible after discovering the first symptoms of a disease.
Related: Pine Tree Lifespan | Pine Tree Growth Rate | Indoor Pine Types| Indoor Bonsai Types| Trimming Pine Trees | | Outdoor Bonsai Tree Types
FAQs
Q. What pine is best for bonsai?
A. The Pinus thunbergii, also known as the Japanese black pine, the Pinus mugo, also known as the mountain pine, the Pinus sylvestris, sometimes known as the Scots pine, and the Pinus parviflora are all excellent choices for bonsai.
Q. When and how do you shape a pine bonsai tree?
A. Maintaining your pine bonsai tree’s shape necessitates pruning. Shaping is essential for all types of pine bonsai trees. This can be accomplished with twig shears or regular cutters on twigs and buds that have grown beyond the ideal canopy shape.
Bonsai tools can make a big difference. Maintaining a regular pruning schedule is essential to Bonsai’s growth and development, so don’t hesitate to do so.
Q. How often do you water a pine bonsai?
A. There is no clear rule for how often different pine bonsai types should be watered. Water deeply and thoroughly when the topsoil appears dry. An old-fashioned method of watering a bonsai is to submerge the pot entirely in a sink filled to a depth of one or two inches.
Q. Where to buy pine bonsai for sale?
A. You can buy various types of pine bonsai trees from the following sites: Amazon, Etsy, the homedepot, or a plant nursery near you.
More On Pine Trees: Pine Wood Types | Pine Bushes
