Cryptomeria spp.
Japanese cedar
Overview
Cryptomeria spp. is a monotypic genus in the cypress family, represented by Cryptomeria japonica, the Japanese cedar or sugi, a large evergreen conifer native to Japan and parts of China. In the wild it forms a tall, straight-trunked tree 65-180 feet (20-55 m) high with a narrow conical to columnar crown, fibrous red-brown bark that peels in strips, and a buttressed base on old trees. The leaves are short, awl-shaped, and spirally arranged, curving forward along the shoots and turning bronze-green in cold winters. Pollen cones are small and clustered at the shoot tips, while the woody seed cones are globular, 0.5-1 inch (12-25 mm) across, with spine-tipped scales. The species is long-lived, with some very old and very large specimens in Japan, and it is widely planted there for timber and around temples. Many dwarf and coloured cultivars exist for gardens. It grows in deep, moist, acidic, free-draining soil in a humid climate and dislikes dry, exposed, or chalky sites, where growth is poor and foliage browns.
Native Range
Cryptomeria japonica is native to Japan, where it forms extensive forests, and to limited areas of southern China. It grows in deep, moist mountain soils in a humid, high-rainfall climate.Suggested Uses
Cryptomeria japonica is planted as a specimen and screening tree in large gardens and parks, and as a timber and temple tree in Japan. Dwarf and coloured cultivars are used in rock gardens, borders, and containers. In forestry it is grown in plantations for its straight, fragrant, workable timber.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height65' - 180'
Width/Spread15' - 30'
Bloom Information
As a conifer, Cryptomeria spp. bears cones rather than flowers. Pollen is shed from small clustered male cones in late winter and early spring, a major source of seasonal allergy in Japan. Woody seed cones ripen by autumn of the same year and release winged seed as they open.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green, bronzing in winterGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Cryptomeria japonica grows in full sun to light shade in deep, moist, acidic, free-draining soil and a humid climate with reliable rainfall. It establishes steadily and tolerates a wide range of garden conditions in mild areas but browns and thins on dry, exposed, or chalky sites. Foliage of many forms turns bronze or reddish in hard winter cold and greens again in spring. The tree is wind-firm once established but suffers in prolonged drought and cold drying winds. Shelter and mulch help young trees through their early years. Dwarf cultivars suit smaller gardens and containers, while the species needs room for its eventual height.Pruning
Cryptomeria spp. needs little pruning and develops its conical form unaided. Dead or damaged branches can be removed at any time, and dwarf cultivars take light trimming to shape. It resprouts from old wood more freely than most conifers, so it tolerates harder cutting back when needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons