Sciadopitys verticillata (Japanese Umbrella Pine)


Michael's Opinion

A challenge to grow in Ontario, Canada, however since it is such an elegant tree it is well worth the effort. I have not seen a large specimen in Ontario nor do I expect to since we are at the edge of its hardiness limits. It does need some form of winter protection in the London, Ontario, Canada area.

Botanical Information

FamilySciadopityaceae (Pinaceae)
GenusSciadopitys
Speciesverticillata
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginValley of the Kisogawa in central Hondo, Koyasan area in east central Hondo, Japan. The wood from this tree is used to make boats. This tree is one of the five sacred trees of Japan. Introduced in 1861.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6b - 7a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6-H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-23
Temperature (°F)-10
Height7-30 m
Spread5-7 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodJune

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA slow growing, unusual plant that has very interesting textural properties due to its unusual leaf arrangement.
ID CharacteristicA unique, interesting texture, needled evergreen tree. Branch tips end in whorls of 20-30 flat needle-like leaves.
ShapeBroadly pyramidal to spire-like.
LandscapePrimarily used as a specimen, but also used as a lawn tree, rock gardens, decoration or as an accent. Does best in full sun and in rich, moist acidic soils. Has high salt tolerance.
PropagationEither warm stratification for 100 days in moist sand at 17-21 °C or cold for 90 days in moist, acid peat at 0-10 °C.
CultivationPrefers rich, moist acidic soils and full sun. It may need wind protection in winter thus proper sight selection is very important.
PestsNo serious pests or diseases.
Notable SpecimensRayner Gardens, London, Ontario. The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada and The A.M. Cuddy Garden, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. Pinetum Park and Pine Lodge Gardens, Cornwall, England.
HabitatMiddle cloud forests at roughly 500-1000 m with high rainfall and humidity.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThin, smooth, orange to red-brown and exfoliating in long strips. The bark is quite handsome but is essentially hidden by the foliage.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionThe buds are ovoid, 3-4 mm across, and only produced at the shoot tips.
Leaf DescriptionSmall, scaled-like, glaucous-green groove, dark glossy green, thick and the way the needles radiate around the stem creates an 'umbrella' effect.
Flower DescriptionMonoecious, terminal and subtended by a small bract. Female flowers are single, terminal with a small leaf underneath. Male flowers are 2.5 cm long racemes.
Fruit DescriptionCones are oblong-ovate, 5-10 cm upright. Cones are green their first year, turning brown in their second year. Each cone produces 5-9 seeds.
Colour DescriptionLeaves are dark green and glossy above throughout the year. Cones are green at first, ripening to brown within the second year.
Texture DescriptionMedium-coarse, one of the most interesting conifers for textural effect.

Photographs