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Chamaecyparis obtusa (Hinoki Cypress)
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© reinderw, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Coniferous Trees

Chamaecyparis obtusa

Hinoki Cypress

Cupressaceae
Mountain forests of Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu) and Taiwan at 1,600-8,200 feet (500-2,500 m)

Learn more

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height50-75 feet (15-23 m)
Width20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Maturity30 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantFragrant (moderate)
Maintenancelow

Overview

Chamaecyparis obtusa is hinoki cypress (Japanese cypress), an upright coniferous tree growing 50-75 feet (15-23 m) tall and 20-30 feet (6-9 m) wide. Deep glossy green scale-like foliage in flattened shell-like sprays curling at the tips. White X- or Y-shaped stomatal markings on spray undersides. Reddish-brown bark exfoliating in vertical strips. Small globose cones 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm). In Cupressaceae. Obtusa = blunt (rounded leaf tips). Sacred Japanese timber — used for Shinto shrines and imperial palaces. Hundreds of cultivars. Three diagnostics: shell-like curling sprays, white X/Y stomatal markings, reddish-brown exfoliating bark. The large mature size (50-75 feet / 15-23 m) limits use to large sites — this is the primary spatial limitation. Not drought-tolerant. Sweet resinous fragrance. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Native to Japan and Taiwan. Zones 4-8. Part sun. Growth rate is slow to moderate.

Native Range

Native to mountain forests of Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu) and Taiwan at 1,600-8,200 feet (500-2,500 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown as a large specimen conifer, in Japanese-style gardens, and as a screen on large sites, spaced 20-30 feet (6-9 m). Sacred Japanese timber. Hundreds of cultivars. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8.

How to Identify

Identified by deep glossy green scale-like foliage in flattened shell-like sprays curling at the tips, white X- or Y-shaped stomatal markings on spray undersides, and reddish-brown bark exfoliating in vertical strips. The shell-like curling and the white X/Y markings distinguish C. obtusa from C. pisifera (open feathery sprays, white lines, pointed tips). In Cupressaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 75'
Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Not applicable — conifer. Wind-pollinated. Reddish-brown pollen in March-April. Small globose cones 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) ripen green to brown September-October.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Deep glossy green above, scale-like with blunt rounded tips (obtusa = blunt), in flattened shell-like sprays that curl at the tips; white X- or Y-shaped stomatal markings on the spray undersides (diagnostic); reddish-brown bark exfoliating in vertical strips; sweet resinous fragrance; evergreen year-round

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 3-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandclay
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun (3-10 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.0. Not drought-tolerant. Large mature size (50-75 feet / 15-23 m) — site on large properties. Minimal pruning. Sweet resinous fragrance. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 4-8.

Pruning

Prune in late spring (April) if needed to shape. The natural pyramidal form requires minimal pruning. Do not shear — hand-prune individual branches to maintain natural form.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic