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Cryptomeria japonica is often confused with:
Araucaria heterophylla Araucaria heterophylla
Taiwania cryptomerioides Taiwania cryptomerioides
Native alternative(s) for Cryptomeria japonica:
Juniperus virginiana Juniperus virginiana
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens' Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'
Ilex vomitoria Ilex vomitoria
Osmanthus x fortunei Osmanthus x fortunei in the fall in Moore County

Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
krip-toh-MER-ee-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
Description

Japanese cedar is a woody, needled evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family that is native to central and south Japan and China. It may reach 50 to 70 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide with a conical to pyramidal shape.The genus name comes from the Greek krypto, meaning to hide, and meris, meaning a part in reference to the concealed position of the reproductive organs.  

Japanese cedar prefers rich, moist, well-drained, acidic soils but is adaptable to other soil types. It grows well in dappled sunlight, full sun, or partial shade. 

The reddish-brown exfoliating bark can be quite attractive, and the wood is highly valued for building many things. This cedar is resistant to damage by deer and is slightly salt tolerant. It is generally considered low maintenance. 

The soft, graceful habit of the Japanese cedar makes it ideal as a specimen tree in a lawn or naturalized area. It is a great alternative to the leyland cypress for screening purposes. Shorter cultivars are available. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves are saber shaped and turn in toward branch
  • Male cones are in terminal clusters, round, ½ to 1 inch
  • Leaves vary in length on same branch

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Problems may include leaf spot, leaf blight, and fungi.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Patio Room Sloped Front Yard Container Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
‘Ben Franklin’, 'Black Dragon', 'Chapel View', 'Compacta', ‘Dacrydioides’, 'Dragon Prince', 'Elegans', 'Elegans Aurea', 'Elegans Nana', 'Giokumo', 'Globosa', 'Globosa Nana', 'Magic Dragon', 'Nana Albospica', ‘Radicans’, 'Tenzan', 'Yoshino'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#conical#specimen#salt tolerant#security plant#lawn tree#privacy#deer resistant#screening#naturalized area#fantz#exfoliating bark#partial shade tolerant#barrier#landscape plant sleuths course#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
‘Ben Franklin’, 'Black Dragon', 'Chapel View', 'Compacta', ‘Dacrydioides’, 'Dragon Prince', 'Elegans', 'Elegans Aurea', 'Elegans Nana', 'Giokumo', 'Globosa', 'Globosa Nana', 'Magic Dragon', 'Nana Albospica', ‘Radicans’, 'Tenzan', 'Yoshino'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#conical#specimen#salt tolerant#security plant#lawn tree#privacy#deer resistant#screening#naturalized area#fantz#exfoliating bark#partial shade tolerant#barrier#landscape plant sleuths course#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cryptomeria
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Highly valued wood for building many different things
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central & South Japan and China
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This tree is resistant to damage by deer and is slightly salt tolerant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Male (pollen) cones are in clusters near the apex of branches and are oblong and scaly. Female (seed) cones are round, brown, rosette looking on terminal branches singly or in groups.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    monoecious, with male and female cones
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Smooth
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    3/4 inch evergreen bright or blue-green needles are spirally arranged and awl-shaped. They are 4-angled and curve inward with a slight twist. Needles persist for 4-5 years. May develop bronze tones in the winter. First needles produced each year are shorter than later produced needles.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Reddish-brown, showy exfoliating bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Smooth/Hairless
    Stem Description:
    Branches are whorled and horizontally spreading to slightly drooping. Branchlets are green the first year. Winter buds are small and non-scaly.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Salt