The Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) has several uses. It can be used for wood, as an ornamental tree because of the eye-catching blue-green needles, and symbolism. Thus, it is the national tree of Japan, most common in temples and shrines. It is also called Japanese redwood and endemic to Japan. However, it has been transported to other places like China and the Azores. The tree favors deep, well-drained soil under warm climates. Its red-brown bark peels in vertical strips and the needles are arranged in spiral conditions while its cones are plum red but turn yellow when mature. It is medium-sized, easy to grow in shade conditions, and forms a conical or pyramidal shape. The trunk is straight but may droop as the tree grows.
Japanese Cedars have a typical overall height between 50’-70’ (15.2-21.3 m) and spread diameter of 10’-25’ (3-7.6 m). Exceptional mature Japanese Cedar trees may grow to heights of 180’ (55 m) in the wild. The trunk of the Japanese Cedar has a diameter of 1.5’-3’ (.5-.9 m) with needle-like leaf lengths between .5”-.75” (13-19 mm).
The Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) has several uses. It can be used for wood, as an ornamental tree because of the eye-catching blue-green needles, and symbolism. Thus, it is the national tree of Japan, most common in temples and shrines. It is also called Japanese redwood and endemic to Japan. However, it has been transported to other places like China and the Azores. The tree favors deep, well-drained soil under warm climates. Its red-brown bark peels in vertical strips and the needles are arranged in spiral conditions while its cones are plum red but turn yellow when mature. It is medium-sized, easy to grow in shade conditions, and forms a conical or pyramidal shape. The trunk is straight but may droop as the tree grows.
Japanese Cedars have a typical overall height between 50’-70’ (15.2-21.3 m) and spread diameter of 10’-25’ (3-7.6 m). Exceptional mature Japanese Cedar trees may grow to heights of 180’ (55 m) in the wild. The trunk of the Japanese Cedar has a diameter of 1.5’-3’ (.5-.9 m) with needle-like leaf lengths between .5”-.75” (13-19 mm).
