Chamaecyparis pisifera, Sawara Cypress
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Coniferous Trees

Chamaecyparis pisifera

Sawara Cypress

Cupressaceae

Mountain forests of Japan — Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height50-70 feet (15-21 m)
Width10-20 feet (3-6 m)
Maturity30 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Chamaecyparis pisifera is a large, long-lived, evergreen coniferous tree in the family Cupressaceae, native to mountain forests of Japan. The specific epithet pisifera means 'pea-bearing' (pisum = pea), referring to the TINY PEA-SIZED CONES approximately 0.25 inch (6 mm) — the smallest cones of the commonly cultivated Chamaecyparis species. Also called Sawara cypress. The straight species grows 50–70 feet (15–21 m) tall but is rarely planted — far more commonly represented by its numerous cultivars spanning five major foliage forms: squarrosa (fluffy juvenile foliage), plumosa (feathery intermediate foliage), filifera (thread-like drooping branchlets), nana (compact dwarf), and aurea (gold-foliaged). Distinguished from C. obtusa by finer, more pointed scale tips; smaller cones; and more open, less dense branching. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to mountain forests of Japan — Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

Suggested Uses

Chamaecyparis pisifera in Pacific Northwest gardens is rarely planted as the straight species — far more commonly encountered through its cultivars. 'Filifera' (thread cypress) and 'Filifera Aurea' (golden thread cypress) are among the most widely sold cultivars in the region. 'Boulevard' (squarrosa type, silvery-blue fluffy juvenile foliage) is another popular PNW garden selection. The enormous cultivar range (size, habit, foliage form, color) makes Chamaecyparis pisifera among the most versatile conifer species for the region. Educational value: the five major foliage forms within one species (squarrosa/plumosa/filifera/nana/aurea), and distinguishing Chamaecyparis pisifera from C. obtusa by cone size and scale tip sharpness.

How to Identify

Chamaecyparis pisifera is identified as a large broadly conical evergreen conifer. The tiny pea-sized cones approximately 0.25 inch (6 mm) are the smallest of the commonly cultivated Chamaecyparis species. Distinguished from C. obtusa by finer, more pointed scale tips vs. blunt in C. obtusa; smaller cones 0.25 inch vs. 0.3–0.5 inch; and more open, less dense branching. White X-shaped stomatal markings on spray undersides are shared with C. obtusa. The straight species is rarely planted — far better known through cultivars in five foliage forms: squarrosa (fluffy), plumosa (feathery), filifera (thread-like), nana (dwarf), and aurea (gold).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 70'
Width/Spread10' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown
green

Foliage Colors

green
blue

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Small reddish-brown male pollen cones release pollen in March–April. TINY GLOBOSE FEMALE CONES ~0.25 inch (6 mm) — the smallest of common Chamaecyparis — ripen from green to brown September–October. Wind-pollinated. Cones often produced abundantly even on young trees.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

TINY GLOBOSE CONES ~0.25 inch — smallest common Chamaecyparis cones; ripen green to brown Sept–Oct; pollen reddish-brown Mar–Apr; often abundant even on young trees; wind-pollinated

Foliage Description

blue-green to dark green; FINER MORE POINTED scale tips (vs. blunt in C. obtusa); white X-shaped stomatal markings on undersides; pisifera = 'pea-bearing'; TINY PEA-SIZED CONES ~0.25 inch — smallest of common Chamaecyparis; MORE OPEN/LESS DENSE branching than C. obtusa; five major cultivar foliage forms: squarrosa/plumosa/filifera/nana/aurea; DATA CORRECTIONS: species null; rewrote curly-brace prose

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial 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 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysiltsand
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Chamaecyparis pisifera requires full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Adaptable to a range of conditions — more tolerant of wet soils than C. obtusa. Consistent moisture preferred; avoid prolonged drought. Thrives in Pacific Northwest maritime climate. The enormous cultivar diversity allows selection of appropriate size and form for virtually any garden situation.

Pruning

No pruning required for natural form of the straight species. Cultivars vary by form — thread-leaf ('Filifera') types tolerate light pruning; squarrosa and plumosa types can be sheared for formal shapes. Do not cut into bare old wood on any cultivar. Remove dead branches in spring.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic