Japanese Cedar

Temple tree with a mohawk

Japanese cedar is the national tree of Japan and can reach a height of over 50 meters. Due to its bow-shaped needles it is sometimes referred to in Dutch as the sickle cypress. The genus name is derived from the Greek krypto (to hide) and meris (part) and refers to its hidden reproductive parts. Alongside many temples in Japan there are huge specimens with ages estimated of between 1000 and 3000 years. Many Japanese revere these ancient trees. In the wild, however, the species is considered to be 'near threatened'.

Japanese cedar provides high quality wood for the construction industry. In the south of Japan there are vast plantations of the Japanese cedar, which in early spring give off clouds of yellow pollen inducing hay fever in many sufferers. There are many cultivated forms some of which bear mohawk-like growths.

The old cultivar 'Globosa Nana' has a compact growth habit and, in time, grows to resemble a green hill.