Chinese red pine Pinus tabuliformis
Chinese red pine (Pinus tabuliformis) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pinaceae family, native to Northern China and Korea (the pine of the Western Hills). It grows 15–25 m (49–82 ft) tall and 8–14 m (26–46 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Chinese red pine in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Chinese red pine at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 m (49–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–14 m (26–46 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Northern China and Korea (the pine of the Western Hills) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China |
Is Chinese red pine toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chinese red pine
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Chinese red pine in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- China National Botanical Garden (10 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (1 plants)
Questions about Chinese red pine
- How far apart should I plant Chinese red pine?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–14 m (26–46 ft).
- Does Chinese red pine need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chinese red pine need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Chinese red pine?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- Is Chinese red pine poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Chinese red pine?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chinese red pine. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
Notes and assumptions
- Becomes flat-topped with age, like a parasol; clothes the hills behind the Beijing Botanical Garden.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
- Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
- Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
- Norway spruce Picea abies
- Siberian larch Larix sibirica
- Two-needle piñon Pinus edulis