17-year-old Lacebark Pine - Morton Arboretum Specimen started from seed

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(You may have to install Microsoft's Virtual Earth, a free program with amazing bird's eye views Google Maps does not have).

Range: China: south Gansu, south Hebei, west Henan, Hubei (Badong Xian), Shaanxi, west Shandong, Shanxi, north Sichuan. Distribution is based on the mapping of herbarium specimens, mostly in Beijing, which we believe have been collected from trees growing in the wild. This map is roughly in agreement with that given by Ying et al. (2003). Other sources mention a wider distribution but seem to include planted specimens as well. This species is highly ornamental (bark is attractive) and has been planted in temple grounds etc. for many centuries. This species forms populations of scattered individuals.

Habitat and Ecology: In mountains, often on limestone rocks and on south-facing slopes, scattered and mixed with Pinus tabuliformis and angiosperms. Its titleitudinal range is probably between 500 and 2,150 m; records from lower elevations are probably not from natural occurrences but from planted trees. Highly valued as an ornamental and therefore widely planted in China. Fairly common in arboreta and parks in Europe and North America.

Threats: No specific threats are known to affect this species. (1)

Lacebark pine is native to northeastern and central China. It is a slow-growing tree to 15-25 m tall. Its smooth, grey-green bark gradually sheds in round scales to reveal patches of pale yellow, which turn olive-brown, red and purple on exposure to light.

This broad, somewhat bushy tree produces branches that are long and sweep sharply upwards. The needle-like leaves are produced in threes with a deciduous sheath, spread widely apart on the shoots and face forward, glossy green, 6-9 cm long and 2 mm broad. The cones are ovoid, 4-7 cm long and 3-5 cm across, dark brown with relatively few scales. The seeds are 6-8 mm long, with a rudimentary wing, and are dispersed by the Spotted Nutcracker.

Lacebark Pine is a valuable ornamental tree, grown mainly for its decorative bark. It is said by many to be the most beautiful of all pines. In China, it is widely planted beside temples, with some specimens reported to be over 1,000 years old. It was introduced to Europe and North America in 1846, and specimens are grown in many botanical gardens and occasionally in parks.