Nishiki-matsu (cork-bark Japanese black pine)

Nishiki-matsu is a mutation of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) discovered on the Seto Inland Sea coast at Takamatsu, Kagawa, and is also called 'arakawa-matsu' (rough-bark pine). Its defining trait is a thick corky bark on trunk and branches that splits deeply in a herringbone pattern; the ideal is 'sanmai-gawa', where the bark flares out in three directions like a propeller when seen from above. The needles are the stiff paired needles of black pine, and the new candles are covered in white hairs as in black pine. Wild plants were largely collected out, but grafting was mastered in the mid-Meiji era in what is now Kokubunji, Takamatsu, which is regarded as its home. Today most plants are grafted onto black pine and similar rootstocks, and rooted cuttings are also produced in Kagawa; seedlings do not reliably come true. Around 40 named selections are said to exist, differing in how fast and how hard the bark splits and in needle colour. It should not be confused with sekka goyomatsu, a Japanese white pine that is sometimes also called 'cork bark pine'. The core wood is thinner than it looks and branches snap easily, so heavy wiring is not possible. Its habits are close to black pine, but it prefers a little more water.

The Nishiki-matsu (cork-bark Japanese black pine) lives Long-lived; bonsai said to be 100 years old exist.

The Nishiki-matsu (cork-bark Japanese black pine) grows to Usually kept under 3 m in cultivation (bonsai: shohin to medium).

Fertilizer (April–November, except the rainy season and midsummer)