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Extra Notes
Cryptomeria seems to tolerate
confined root space and
pollution under the harshest of
conditions. |
Other Cultivars/species:
C. compacta is a larger, to
80 feet, cultivar. It is a conical tree
with short, stiff, bluish green leaves.
several cultivars are shrubs; 'Bandai-sugi'
is a rounded, irregular shrub with dense
foliage growing to 6 feet.
Spiralis is a dense shrub or small
tree with many spirally curved twisted
inward pointing leaves around the
branches. 'Black Dragon' is black-green
in foliage, and is a conical semi-dwarf
slow growing to 8 to 10 feet tree.
Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans' is
the most popular. It has dense, soft,
non-prickly juvenile foliage that turns
rich copper red in winter and back to
blue green with bronze tips in spring.
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Common Name:
Golden Japanese
Cedar
Plant type:
Tree.
Family:
Taxodiaceae. Only one species exists, Cryptomeria japonica.
Height/Spread:
Moderately
slow-growing, medium-sized tree. Grows 12 to 18 inches per year. In
natural habitat, it may grow to 60 feet. Record size tree is 65
feet. In cultivation tree is smaller, 30 to 50 feet.
The crown is open and has narrow pendulous branches. It grows into a
lofty, pyramidal or conical-shaped tree.
Fruit:
Produces seed
cones which stay on the tree after the seed drops. Cryptomeria
is monoecious (male and female cones on same tree). Female cones are
round, light-green with loose scales. Male cones are light brown,
appearing from leaf axils near branch tips in early spring.
Bark/Stem:
Thick, fibrous, red-brown bark, peels off in long, vertical strips.
Leaves:
Sickle-shaped
needles (1/2 inch long) in 5 rows and more or less spirally arranged
around the shoots. New growth is creamy yellow contrasting nicely
with older green foliage. Needles turn to bronze in the fall.
Diseases/Pests:
Needle
necrosis, branch dieback, and root rot may occur on young plants. Nematodes can cause stunting.
Growing Conditions: Tolerates
most, well-drained soils, although it grows best in deep, fertile,
moist but well- drained humus rich soil in a sheltered site in full
sun or partial shade. Subject to wind damage and desiccation. Will
take summer heat without sun burning when established and given
adequate moisture, though it can experience winter burn in exposed
locations, but new growth is quick to cover.
Hardiness:
USDA zones 6 to 8.
Natural Range:
Forests in China
and Japan. Cryptomeria is the national tree of Japan and is
found planted at many sacred sites.
Location:
Groundcover Bed 13 and Yao Garden.
Uses:
Used as
lumber/timber in Japan. The wood is scented, waterproof,
lightweight and strong, so it is used for all types of construction
in Japan. Useful as a specimen. Cultivar 'Cristata' is used by
florists. |
Complete
Index
