Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan Sugi', Sekkan-Sugi cryptomeria
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Coniferous Trees

Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan Sugi'

Sekkan-Sugi cryptomeria

Cupressaceae
Cultivar of horticultural origin selected in Japan; species native to Japan and central-southern China

Learn more

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Width10-15 feet (3-4.5 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan Sugi' is Sekkan-Sugi cryptomeria (golden Japanese cedar), an upright pyramidal evergreen coniferous tree growing 20-30 feet (6-9 m) tall and 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) wide. Creamy-yellow to pale gold new growth at branch tips contrasts with mid to dark green interior foliage. Awl-shaped needles 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) curved inward, spirally arranged. In Cupressaceae. Sekkan Sugi = snow on the cedar (Japanese). C. japonica is the national tree of Japan. Gold tip color most vivid in spring and in part sun — fades in shade. NOT drought-tolerant — consistent moisture required. Limited cold hardiness (zone 6). Foliage bronzes in cold winters — primary aesthetic limitation. Smaller than the species (50-100 feet / 15-30 m). Tolerates clay. Few pest or disease issues. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 6-9. Part sun to full sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Cultivar of horticultural origin selected in Japan. Species native to Japan and central-southern China.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a gold-tipped specimen tree in residential gardens, spaced 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m). Two-tone gold and green foliage. Bronzes in cold winters. Not drought-tolerant. Non-toxic. Not suitable for containers. Zones 6-9.

How to Identify

Identified by creamy-yellow to pale gold new growth at branch tips contrasting with dark green interior foliage on an upright pyramidal form, with awl-shaped needles curved inward toward the stem and spirally arranged. The two-tone gold-tipped foliage distinguishes 'Sekkan Sugi' from the all-green species. In Cupressaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread10' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green
yellow

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Not applicable — conifer. Monoecious. Small green-yellow male strobili at branch tips and small green female cones in February-March. Small woody globular cones 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm), maturing in fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Creamy-yellow to pale gold new growth at the branch tips contrasting with mid to dark green interior foliage; awl-shaped needles 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) curved inward toward the stem, spirally arranged; the gold tip color is most vivid on new spring growth and gradually matures to greener tones; bronzes in cold winters

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun (4-8 hours) — gold color most vivid in part sun, fades in shade. Well-drained soil pH 5.0-7.0. NOT drought-tolerant — consistent moisture required. Limited cold hardiness (zone 6). Foliage bronzes in cold winters. Few pest or disease issues. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 6-9.

Pruning

Prune in late spring (May) if needed. The natural pyramidal form develops without intervention. Remove dead or damaged branches. Tolerates light shaping but not hard renovation pruning into bare wood.

Pruning Schedule

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

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic