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Slender Hinoki false cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gracilis'

Phonetic Spelling
ka-may-sy-PAR-is ob-TOO-sah gra-SILL-is
Description

Slender Hinoki false cypress is a needled evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. This tree grows more compact and fuller than the genus in a pyramidal to a conical shape with short spreading and irregularly arranged branches. It grows slowly and will reach 6 feet in 10 years with a 3-4 foot spread. Latin for gracilis translates to "graceful."

Hinoki cypress will grow best in full sun but tolerates light to dappled shade. It will adapt to most soil types except wet poorly drained ones. Keep the soil moist the first year and once established the tree is fairly drought tolerant. It needs little to no pruning except to remove damaged branches. This tree prefers some protection from the wind.

This graceful tree makes a nice accent or specimen tree, a corner of the house plant or planted in small groups. It can also be grown in containers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Some susceptibility to juniper blight, root rot and bagworms.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#specimen#slow growing#winter interest#needled evergreen#small group plantings#compact habit#narrow form#landscape plant sleuths course#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#specimen#slow growing#winter interest#needled evergreen#small group plantings#compact habit#narrow form#landscape plant sleuths course#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chamaecyparis
    Species:
    obtusa
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Taiwan and Japan
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Erect
    Irregular
    Open
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Small round woody seed cones on short stalks that look like little volleyballs. Green maturing to brown.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    White
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Short green needles closely appressed to the branch. The branchlets are in flat fan shapes. The underside of the needles have Y-shaped stomal bands
  • Bark:
    Bark Description:
    Reddish-brown bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Foundation Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen