Cryptomeria japonica

COMMON NAME: Japanese Cedar, Cryptomeria

FAMILY: Taxodium Family; Taxodiaceae

GROWTH HABIT: A pyramidal or conical tree with a stout trunk and erect, wide-spreading branches with number branchlets. Tree to 50 -60 ft high.

FOLIAGE: Evergreen. Needles bright green, 1/4 - 3/4 inches long; widest at the base, tapering to a sharp point, and curving inward toward the branchlet. Flattened and ridged on both sides.

BUDS: tiny buds concealed under the needles.

BARK: Reddish-brown, pelling in long thin strips.

FRUIT: Cones. Round, or nearly round, 1/2 - 1 inch in diameter; remaining on the tree after splitting to release seeds. Wedge-shaped scales bear small, curved spines.

NATIVE HABITAT: Japan, China