In China, the plant is known as 赤松 (pinyin: chì sōng, literally "red pine").

P. densiflora has a home range that includes Japan, the Korean Peninsula, northeastern China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong and northeastern Jiangsu) and the extreme southeast of Russia (in Siberia, southern Primorsky Krai).

Strong wind resistance, P. densiflora is an excellent tree species for afforestation in stony mountains, barren soil and sandy land.

The timber can be used for construction, electric poles, sleepers, ore pillars, furniture, and wood fiber industrial raw materials.

P. densiflora has non-stinging needles and soft branches, making it easy to shape as a penjing.