Thuja standishii (Japanese Arborvitae)


Michael's Opinion

This tree is valued for its durable, waterproof, and attractive scented wood. Dirr says it's "a beautiful specimen", and I must concur as it is a stately, regal tree; pity it is not grown more often in Ontario gardens.

Botanical Information

FamilyCupressaceae
GenusThuja
Speciesstandishii
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginIntroduced into cultivation in Europe by Standish Nurseries in England by Mr. Carriere, in 1867. It is one of the 5 sacred trees of Kiso Forest. It was only cut for wealthy or powerful families, and if cut by a commoner they would be killed.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone 5-7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone4b-6a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-28
Temperature (°F)-20
Height20-30 m
Spread6 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodSeptember

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis tree will grow with a straight slender trunk. The branches are horizontal with the ends of the branch arching upwards. It has a broadly conical crown. Its foliage is deep green in the summer and turns to a yellow/brown/green in the winter.
ID CharacteristicThis cedar has a broad head. It is broadly conical, with a slender trunk, and deep red, shaggy bark. The foliage is semi-weeping and has a shaggy look. The branch sprays arch and are bright to dark green on the upper side, with whitish spots beneath.
ShapePryamidal, broadly conical, open and irregularly arranged branching.
LandscapeMay be used as a specimen tree for its shaggy appearance in both the bark and the foliage/branches. Can also be used as a hedge or grouping plant. It needs a somewhat protected location in our climate.
CultivationThis specimen can be grown in a cool to warm climate, is frost tolerant and marginally hardy. It enjoys full sun, with shelter to prevent winter burn. Plant in moist, well drained soils.
PestsThis plant is susceptable to winter browning caused by drastic and fast temperature changes. It also has problems with cedar leaf miner, tip blight, scales and more.
Notable SpecimensThe University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatGrows naturally in the mountains of Honshu and Shikoko, Japan, in full sun and well drained soils.
Bark/Stem DescriptionIt has shaggy, reddish brown bark, that is finely fissured.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionBuds are inconspicuous, 1.5-2 mm long and black in colour.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves are scale-like, 1-8mm long, lax and open always letting some light shine through. They are glandular and somewhat incurved towards the apex. Facial leaves are obtuse, thickened and are in lateral pairs with their edges turned inwards.
Flower DescriptionMonoecious, terminal, solitary.
Fruit DescriptionCones are oblong, 10 scaled, and 3-8 mm long. Cones have about 10 broadly oval, overlapping scales. Only 2 -3 pairs have seeds.
Colour DescriptionIt is one of the few trees of the species that has the best foliage characteristics. It's branchlets are green above, with white spots below. It is a dark green in the summer, fading to a dull green brown in the autumn, with red-brown bark.
Texture DescriptionMedium to fine. Soft textured, easy to handle leaves, with soft peeling bark.

Photographs