Famous for three species of pine, Japan is home to the black pine, white pine and the red pine. The Pinus densiflora or red pine is found in northern Honshu, southern Kyushu and Shikoku. There it is an iconic plant found in traditional gardening. Another use for this pine is pottery kiln fuel because it burns so hot and its use in construction because it is strong but light. These trees are large coniferous trees growing to 35m in height. They are found in rich acidic soils in order for optimal growth. The bark of these trees is orange- brown, turning darker with age and paper thin until older. It bears two needles per fascicle about 12cm in length on tiered, upswept branches. Male pollen cones will bloom in early spring, while female cones will bloom the same time but won't mature until the fall. These female cones produce winged seeds about 1.5cm long when mature. Red pines can be found on low mountains and hillside although thought to have grown alongside rivers in earlier times. Now they are along dry ridge lines and are one of the first plants to seed after a natural disaster. Although they can withstand disasters they are under attack by North American nemetodes causing pine wilt, which the long horned beetle spreads when boring into trees.