Big in Japan: Cryptomeria japonica

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is an awesome specimen tree. I first learned its name through a site visit with my boss. We visited a couple in Port Moody who wanted a new tree planted and the lady showed us a picture of the tree on her PC. She wanted this exact tree. Except I had no clue what it was. Incredibly, I spent six years in Japan and never learned its botanical name.

Big in Japan

Cryptomeria japonica is, as the specific epithet suggests, from Japan. In fact, it’s Japan’s national tree. It’s heavily planted around temples and shrines; and I’ve been to many of those. A visit to ancient Kyoto should be on everyone’s bucket list.

The timber is prized because it’s extremely fragrant, weather and insect resistant; it’s also soft and has low density.

First cones

This week I saw the cones for the first time in the field and discreetly collected a few for later home examination. The spherical fruiting cones are found at shoot ends.

Details

When it grows deep in the forests of Japan it can become a large tree. It’s often plantation planted in Japan. In British Columbia we get cultivars for our landscapes; they are compact or dwarf.

Cryptomeria japonica is non-flowering and likes full-sun locations. It prefers acidic, well-drained soils. Always make sure it’s protected from drying winds.

This is a very low maintenance tree. There is no pruning required.

The needles are sharply-pointed, awl-shaped, fragrant, green to blue green and spirally arranged. In addition, they are soft to the touch.

Cryptomeria japonica is used as a specimen tree, screen or in dwarf form it’s perfect for rock gardens. So far all of the trees I’ve encountered have been compact specimen trees.

Interestingly, this tree is also one of the few evergreens that can be coppiced successfully. This means that when it’s cut down at the base, it re-grows from the stump.

Have you encountered any Japanese cedars in your neighbourhood?