Pinus parviflora 'Ishizuki' / Ishizuki Japanese white pine

Pinus parviflora 'Ishizuki' is a relatively slow-growing, upright, tree form of Japanese white pine with long, blue-green needles that grow with a slight twist, highlighting silvery undersides. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 6 feet (2 m) tall and 3 feet (1 m) wide, an annual growth rate of 6 to 8 inches (15 - 20 cm).

This cultivar originated as a named specimen found on in nature Mt. Ishizuki, Japan and named sometime in the early 1970s. Roughly translated, Ishizuki translates into "stone moon" in the English language. It is often seen listed as 'Ishizuki-goyo' or 'Ishizuki goyo'. In Japanese, goyo translates into 5-needled, referring to all 5-needles pines. As such, use of goyo in Pinus parviflora cultivars is considered to be redundant and is discouraged.

Pinus parviflora 'Ishizuki' — a mature specimen that can be seen in Dawes Arboretum, Newark, Ohio.
Photo by Steve Duggins

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