The study looked at how Korean pine trees naturally grow in a forest and how the forest's composition and structure affect this. They found that Korean pine seedlings mostly grow in forests with high canopy density and where Korean pine trees are common. In mixed forests, other hardwood trees like Fraxinus mandshurica are more common. Seedlings of shade tolerant species mostly grow under the canopy of trees. Most Korean pine seedlings are found close to existing trees. Cutting down some trees can affect the growth of new seedlings.