Cryptomeria japonica

China, Japan

Conical or pyramidal, graceful, thin branchlets.

Prefers rich, deep, light, permeable, acid soil with abundant moisture

Cryptomeria japonica is an elegant evergreen tree with a pyramidal or columnar growth habit. It has a formal character that makes it ideal for lining walkways or standing next to formal buildings. In Japan thay are quite commonly planted beside temples and shrines. The leaves are arranged spirally on the stems and are awl shaped. The cones are tiny, globular and dark brown. The bark of mature specimens is reddish brown and peels in long strips. Cryptomeria is relatively easy to grow. It is also effective when planted in groups or as a specimen tree. It is used for timber in Japan.

Evergreen, spirally arranged. Bright green to bluish green in summer, bronze to brown in winter. Bronze tinged in winter

Red-brown, exfoliates in thin, long strips.

Monoecious, not showy.

Woody brown cones. Cones, female.

Collect softwood cuttings in November, treat with 10,000 ppm IBA-quick dip, place in peat:pearlite.