Habitat

• native to Japan
• zone 5

Habit and Form

• evergreen with a narrow conical shape
• spreading branches are pendulous
• 50' to 75' in the landscape; 120' tall in the wild
• 10' to 20' wide
• medium growth rate
• medium texture

Summer Foliage

• appressed scale leaves of two varying sizes
• the larger scale pair are boat-like with the smaller pair similar to a triangle
• white X-like lines on underside
• dark green color

Autumn Foliage

• no autumn color
• tends to brown in winter

Flowers

• not of ornamental importance
• monoecious

Fruit

• small cones, with only 8 scales
• found on short stalks
• orange brown in color

Bark

• shredding red-brown bark

Culture

• moist, loamy soil
• needs a well-drained site
• best in full sun; tolerates light shade

Landscape Use

• mass plantings
• specimen
• dwarf forms used in rock gardens
• foundation planting

Liabilities

• does not do well in alkaline soil
• does not transplant well

ID Features

• scale like leaves
• white X-like lines on underside of scales
• two scale leaf sizes
• shredding bark

Propagation

• by cuttings

Cultivars/Varieties

'Crippsii', 'Fernspray Gold' and 'Gracilis Aurea' - These forms are among the most common nursery selections with growth that is yellow or tipped yellow.

'Nana Gracilis'- The most common form of the species, very common in the trade and in gardens. Foliage is thick, dark green in color and arranged on "wavy" branches. Commonly used as a specimen or foundation planting. The habit is broad and conical, growing slowly to 6'-8'. The growth form may revert.