Cryptomeria japonica

Plant Family

Cupressaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Cryptomeria japonica

Photo by: JAMES H. SCHUTTE

Plant Common Name

Japanese Cedar, Japanese Cryptomeria

General Description

Japanese cedar is an evergreen tree with needles that are blue-green in the growing season turning purplish bronze to brown in winter. Cones are dark brown and rounded; bark is reddish-brown and exfoliating on this native of Japan. The tree is nicely pyramidal in form with billowing, cloud-like clumps of the needles making a dense canopy.

Japanese cedar tolerates most well drained fertile soils and prefers full sun or partial shade locations. They are excellent for large-scale screening or massing. Large specimens in lawns are also a great landscape application for this species.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  9 - 4

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  6 - 9

• Sunset Zone

  4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Tree

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

• Height

  60'-80' / 18.3m - 24.4m

• Width

  20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m

• Native To

  Japan

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Clay, Loam

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Upright/Erect

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Insignificant

• Fruit Color

  Brown

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green, Blue Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green, Blue Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Green, Purple, Brown, Bronze

• Bark Color

  Sienna

• Fragrant Flowers

  No

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  Yes

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Fine

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  Yes

Special Characteristics

• Bark Texture

  Exfoliating

• Usage

  Feature Plant, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Self-Sowing

  No