Sawara cypress
Chamaecyparis pisifera
Family: Cupressaceae
What it is like
Chamaecyparis pisifera 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. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Height (m): 40
Where it is found
Occurs where sympatric with the more ubiquitous C. obtusa, 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 and southern Japan, on the islands of Honsh_ and Ky_sh_.
Conservation Status: Least Concern ver 3.1
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
Agroforestry: Boundary, barrier or support. Pioneer. General: Ornamental tree. Limited as a source of timber, but widely cultivated as an ornamental, with many named cultivars. As of other members of the genus, the wood is valued in Japan for traditional construction work, but its relative scarcity and the often poor shape of layering trees limit its commercial use. Wood Products: Containers including boxes, cases and cooperage. Furniture. Sawn or hewn building timbers. Beams For heavy and light construction. Shingles. Veneers. Musical instruments. Good pioneer species with durable wood. Species and large growing cultivars for lawn specimen, shrub borders and screen. Dwarf cultivars for rock gardens, foundation plantings or specimen.
How it is grown
Average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils. Avoid wet, poorly-drained soils. Shelter from strong winds. Pruning is rarely needed. Winter Interest. Tolerates drought. Good pioneer species with durable wood. A number of varieties exist including: Chamaecyparis pisifera form. crassa Hayashi. Chamaecyparis pisifera form. intermedia Hornib. Chamaecyparis pisifera var. filifera Beiss. et Hochst. Chamaecyparis Chamaecyparis pisifera var. plumosa form. argenta Beiss. Chamaecyparis pisifera var. plumosa form. aurea Beiss. Chamaecyparis pisifera var. squarrosa form. leptoc Sieb. A large number of more compact cultivars including some dwarfs are available.
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: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Pea-fruited false cypress; sawara cypress. French: cypr?s ? fruit de pois; cypr?s de sawara; pisif?re faux cypr?s.Local Common Names: Germany: erbsenfruchtige Lebensbaum; erbsenfruechtige Lebensbaumzypresse; erbsenfruechtige Weisszeder; Sawara- Scheinzypresse. Italy: cipresso giapponese; sawara cipresso. Japan: Sawara. Netherlands: Japanse cypres. UK: Sawara ceder.
Synonyms
C. pisifera f. aurea (Gordon) Rehder. C. f. plumosa (Carriere) Beissner. C. pisifera f. squarrosa (Zucc.) Beissner. C. pisifera var. filifera-aurea (Beissner) Rehder. Cupressus pisifera K Koch. Retinispora pisifera Siebold & Zucc.