ID Characteristic | Cryptomeria japonica var.sinensis can be identified by its attractive bark. It peels in long strips to reveal a brownish red inner bark. This colourful bark is paired against a bright green to bluish-green summer foliage, and a black to deep green foliage during the winter. |
Shape | Cryptomeria japonica var.sinensis has a narrow, compact, pyramidal or conical form. It has an erect and stout trunk that is occasionally buttressed. It often has numerous branches that are wide spread, giving it a graceful appearance. |
Landscape | It can be used as a formal hedge because of its narrow, compact form. It can also be used as a successful shade tree due to its numerous branches that are quite wide spread. This particular varieties growth is quite graceful compared to other commonly used conifers. |
Propagation | It can be propagated by cuttings, air layering or tip layering. Air layering is when a portion of the plant is wounded and wrapped in a moisture barrier. Rooting hormone is often added to encourage new root growth. Tip layering is done by bending a stem back into the ground and covering it with soil so new roots may emerge. |
Cultivation | Cryptomeria japonica var.sinensis is an easily grown tree with its exception of needing to be sheltered from strong winds. It grows best in an acidic soil with a moderate moisture level but is slightly drought tolerant. It requires a soil with a pH between 5 and 7. Should be planted in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. It is slightly salt tolerant. |
Pests | This particular variety is relatively insect/disease resistant but can have minor leaf blight or leaf spot. |
Bark/Stem Description | The bark on the Cryptomeria japonica var.sinensis is quite decorative. The outer bark is a dark brown and peels in long strips to reveal a brownish red inner bark. |
Leaf Description | The leaf is a needle to awl shape and are 6 mm in length. The foliage is a bright green to bluish-green in the summer and black to deep-green in winter. The needles are stiff, rigid and curve inward with a slight twist that points forward. The margin is entire, while the stomata can be found on both surfaces of the needle. |
Flower Description | The flower is inconspicuous.. |
Fruit Description | The fruit is the cone with a measurement of 3 cm in length. The cone is dark brown in a globular shape. The abundance of the cones are male. It contains three to five seeds and twenty to thirty scales. |
Colour Description | The bark is dark brown and peels in long strips to reveal a beautiful brownish-red inner bark. The needles are bright green to bluish-green in summer and black to deep-green in winter. The cone is a dark brown. |
Texture Description | The texture is medium and fine. |