Japanese cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa

Family: Cupressaceae

What it is like

Chamaecyparis obtusa is an evergreen Tree growing to 40 m (131ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Height (m): 40

Where it is found

Occurs where sympatric with C. pisifera, on wetter sites e.g. near mountain streams or in hollows with ground water near the surface. In those wet places trees can spread by the layering of branches to form small groves of clonal individuals. It is a minor constituent in mixed conifer/angiosperm forests. Its altitudinal range is from 280 m to 2600 m a.s.l.

Native to central Japan and widely cultivated in the temperate northern hemisphere.

Conservation Status: Not Listed

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry: Shade and shelter. A good pioneer species. General:Ornamental. Materials: Essential oils, Pesticide, Wood/timber. Wood Products: Sawn or hewn building timbers, Carpentry/joinery (exterior/interior), For light construction. Shingles, Wall panelling.

How it is grown

Prefers full sun on moist, well-drained soil, in areas of moderate to high humidity, and preferably where the trees can be protected from harsh winds. It is fairly free of pests and diseases. There are many cultivars, some quite dwarf. Other cultivars have excellent foliage coloration orunusual growth habit. Cultivars include:'Aurea' -golden foliage: 'Caespitosa' - rare, miniature, about six inches tall;'Compacta' - dwarf, about three feet tall, dense, conical;'Coralliformis' - branchlets reddish and contorted; 'Crippsii' - broad pyramid with spreading branches and golden foliage;'Erecta' - columnar habit;'Ericoides' - low, blue-gray foliage, 'Filicoides' -fern-like; 'Gracilis' - compact growth habit, tips of branchlets pendulous;'Kosteri' - dwarf, three to four feet tall, branch tips curved;'Mariesii' - dwarf, foliage variegated with yellowish white; 'Nana' - very dwarf, height and spread of two feet;'Pygmaea' - dwarf, two feet tall, wider than tall; 'Stoneham' - slow, dwarf, tiered branching; 'Tetragona' - slow, dwarf, erect.

Propagating it: Seed - sow March/April in a seedbed outdoors. The seed is best sown in pots in a frame. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. One month warm then one month cold stratification has produced good results. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings in late summer or autumn in sandy soil in a cold frame. Difficult, it may be best done in late winter to early spring.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Japanese cypress, Hinoki cypress, Hinoki. Hinoki false cypress; Japanese false cypress. French: faux cypres Japonais. Local Common Names: Germany: hinoki Scheinzypresse. Italy: cipresso di hinoki. Japan: hinoki. Netherlands: hinoki-cipres. Taiwan: Taiwan yellow cypress; yellow hinoki.

Synonyms

C. breviramea Maxim. C. taiwanensis Masam. & Suzuki. Cupressus obtusa K. Koch. Retinospora obtusa Siebold & Zucc.