Pine Species for Zone 10+ (Warm Winters)

[zeejet]

I've been recently diving into researching species that do well in my climate, which I'm discovering is actually extremely limited in the trees I can grow for bonsai. While there's still a chance some species might acclimate or tolerate my warm winters (averages 45-50F lows and rated USDA Zone 10b for extremes that never dip below 35-40F), I'm seeking out other potential species to experiment with that are more native or suitable to my zone. I should mention that I do not find most tropicals or broadleaf evergreens appealing at all.

I know for a fact that JBP does well here and that it's a keystone species for bonsai. However, I wanted to see if anyone has experience with lesser known pines that are rated for Zone 10.

So far, I've identified the following:

• Pinus pinea (Stone)
• Pinus halepensis (Aleppo)
• Pinus muricata (Bishop)

These are all rated for Zone 10 and I know that Stone and Aleppo have some existing 'literature' online both in forums and in blogs (Jonas Dupuich has a blog entry on Aleppo).

However, not much is out there for Bishop pine - initial photos I've found of the tree show some promise in terms of foliage density and size. One of the only photos I could find of it in container that seems accurate is from GardensOnline:



The other source is from Heartswood Bonsai in Seattle:



However, that's kind of where things end. Not much at all online for Pinus muricata - this makes sense though as this species has a tiny range here on the west coast.

Does anyone have experience with these species and can recommend one? Or perhaps a species not on this list at all that can tolerate a mild winter?

 

[Esolin]

I feel you on the evergreen envy. I love the look of spruce and firs and mugos and white pines, but they die here. As you said, JBP is probably the best pine for here. I have some Aleppo seedlings too that I'm developing. Both Aleppo and Stone are easy to grow here. The trick with them is maintaining good foliage (as bonsai they tend to throw a scruffy mix of juvenile and mature needles). Don't know anything about Bishop pines. Maybe they are okay. There are other natives like Jeffery and Grey pines, but again, no bonsai info. Monterey Pine probably grows ok here, and I think a few people have tried it for bonsai.

I understand that Atlas Cedars grow well in Mediterranean climates. They could satisfy the short needle evergreen itch. Pacific Shore Junipers have needles that make them look like a fir or spruce, but they grow verrrry slowly and are hard to bulk up.

You may find yourself drawn to other species later on. I never thought I'd like olive or live oak for bonsai starting out, but I've actually grown to like them now. They handle the heat and work of bonsai well, which makes for satisfying results.

 

[vp999]

Florida pine lol.

 

[zeejet]

I feel you on the evergreen envy. I love the look of spruce and firs and mugos and white pines, but they die here. As you said, JBP is probably the best pine for here. I have some Aleppo seedlings too that I'm developing. Both Aleppo and Stone are easy to grow here. The trick with them is maintaining good foliage (as bonsai they tend to throw a scruffy mix of juvenile and mature needles). Don't know anything about Bishop pines. Maybe they are okay. There are other natives like Jeffery and Grey pines, but again, no bonsai info. Monterey Pine probably grows ok here, and I think a few people have tried it for bonsai.

I understand that Atlas Cedars grow well in Mediterranean climates. They could satisfy the short needle evergreen itch. Pacific Shore Junipers have needles that make them look like a fir or spruce, but they grow verrrry slowly and are hard to bulk up.

You may find yourself drawn to other species later on. I never thought I'd like olive or live oak for bonsai starting out, but I've actually grown to like them now. They handle the heat and work of bonsai well, which makes for satisfying results.

Thanks for sharing your experience with these in Zone 10b.

I do know that Blue Atlas Cedar can do well out here despite the Zone 9 designation. What frustrates me is that there are a number of species that are Zone 9 that do fine out here but then there are others that definitely do not. Coast live oak or cork oak could be an option for me, but they are an exception to my dislike of broadleaved evergreens and tropicals in general. I currently don't have much room for more trees and looking to determine soon if my Korean hornbeam and Japanese maples will survive. If not, I'm moving on.

 

[Colorado]

Buttonwood is a great species for bonsai and would probably thrive in Zone 10.

All of the ficus options.

Not sure if the Japanese juniper species (itoigawa, kishu, etc.) would do ok in San Diego but I would think they would.

I’d be all over the olives if I lived out there.

I’m sure there are many many more!

 

[zeejet]

Buttonwood is a great species for bonsai and would probably thrive in Zone 10.

All of the ficus options.

Not sure if the Japanese juniper species (itoigawa, kishu, etc.) would do ok in San Diego but I would think they would.

I’d be all over the olives if I lived out there.

I’m sure there are many many more!

Virtually all junipers thrive here and Japanese varieties of juniperus chinensis are a staple in California! Might be the most popular bonsai species here besides the black pine.

I've decided I don't like most tropicals at all and planning to sell or donate both my ficuses (a tigerbark and a melon seed). I used to have a boxwood and eugenia as well, but again, didn't like them after a few months and gave them away at a club raffle.

I'm excited to be honing in on a set of species I like that also thrive here!

 

[Wulfskaar]

I've got a Stone Pine but I have found very little good info on them as a bonsai. Almost everything I've found is just styling one fresh from home depot without any follow-up or long-term care guidelines or techniques. I'm kind of flying by the seat of my pants with that tree. I am learning and will continually update my thread on it.

I also have 1+ year old seedlings of Chinese pines, Indian pines, Himalayan pines, and Korean pines. I also have an Afghan pine that is probably 3 years old now. It's doing great, but the bnutters have said they aren't great for bonsai. I have no idea how these pines are going to react down the line, but I'll post anything I learn.

I have several 4 year old Bristlecone pines, some of which are doing really good.

I have a Dwarf Alberta Spruce that I've just been keeping alive for the last 3 years or so. It's doing well.

So far, my best ones from seed are definitely JBP. They grow really well here.

 

[*tree*]

You can try loblolly pine, I only have 2 years of experience with them myself, but according to others it can be decandled, grows faster than jbp (I can confirm), has great bark, backbuds very well, only the needles are supposed to be yellowish but mine are pretty dark.