Japanese cedar
Cryptomeria japonica

Family: Cupressaceae

What it is like

A narrow cone shaped tree. It grows 27 m tall and spreads 6 m wide. The trunk is straight and it has small buttresses at the base. The bark is reddish-brown and fibrous. The branches are in tiers but they hand down at the tip. The adult leaves are dense and in spirals pointing forward. The male cones produce pollen. The female seed-bearing cones are further along the branches. There are several cultivated varieties.

There is only one Cryptomeria species. Also put in the family Taxodiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate to subtropical climate plant. It needs deep, moist, rich soil. It does best in a sunny position. In Indonesia it grows between 1,100-2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-11. At Anvers Chocolate factory. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Caribbean, Central America, China (country/location of origin), Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Africa, Guam, Guatemala, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Laos, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Northeastern India, Reunion, SE Asia, Sikkim, Slovenia, Southern Africa, Sweden, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seasoned wood is used for casks, vats and kegs to age foods and impart fragrance.

Edible parts

Wood - fragrance

How it is grown

It is grown from seeds. It can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Antiet, Dhuppi, Japanese sallo, Japonska srpovka, Sugi

Synonyms

Cryptomeria araucarioides Carriere, Cryptomeria compacta Beissn.; Cryptomeria japonica var. sinensis Miq. and many others