Akamatsu

Akamatsu (赤松) is the Japanese name for the red pine tree (Pinus densiflora), which is native to mountainous regions of Japan and noted for its reddish bark. Akamatsu is often used in bonsai, the art of growing miniature trees in containers, because of its elegant and slender trunk and gentle, long and thin leaves. Akamatsu is also called mematsu (female pine) in contrast to kuromatsu (Japanese black pine), which is more dynamic and robust. To grow akamatsu bonsai, one should use well-drained soil and water the tree moderately after the soil surface dries up. Fertilization should be done sparingly to avoid excessive leaf growth. Akamatsu bonsai can be styled in various ways, such as formal upright, informal upright, slanting, or literati.