Lacebark pine Pinus bungeana
Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pinaceae family, native to Central and northern China (mountains). It grows 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall and 6–12 m (20–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Lacebark pine in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Lacebark pine at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–12 m (20–39 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 moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: seeds |
| Native to | Central and northern China (mountains) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Lacebark 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 Lacebark pine
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Lacebark pine in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- China National Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (1 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (2 plants)
Questions about Lacebark pine
- How far apart should I plant Lacebark pine?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–12 m (20–39 ft).
- Does Lacebark pine need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lacebark pine need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Lacebark pine?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- Is Lacebark 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 Lacebark pine?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lacebark 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)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Bark flakes into a camouflage of white, grey, green and purple, turning chalk-white with age; planted at Beijing temples for centuries. Often multi-stemmed.
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