Hinoki cypress is a large, woody, needled evergreen tree from Formosa, Japan with a broad, softly pyramidal shape and spreading, horizontal branches. It is in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family and has been widely used in Japanese architecture. The genus name derives from the Greek word chamai , for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos , for cypress. It prefers moist, fertile loams but is adaptable to other soils as long as they are well drained. It does best in full sun but can tolerate some shade and needs protection from the wind. Propagate from root cuttings as this plant is difficult to transplant. The cones are small and orange-brown. This tree is rarely used in landscapes due to its mature size of 50 to 75 feet tall by 10 to 25 feet wide. There are many dwarf cultivars in smaller sizes better suited to home use. Hinoki cypress is best used as a specimen in a meadow or recreational play area. Quick ID Hints: Sprays are fan-shaped, flat Leaves are all scale-like Scales are glaucous along edges, below appear as X or Y Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to bagworms, root rot, and juniper blight. See Clemson's publication on root rot . VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Chamaecyparis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Short, closely compressed, green leaves are scale-like in flattened sprays with whitish x-like markings on the underside. Leaves come in 2 scale leaf sizes.
Flower detail
No flowers - the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
No true fruit-female seed bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown. Small 0.5 in. orange-brown cones with 8-10 scales
Bark color
Dark Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Reddish-brown bark will peel on mature trees.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Formosa, Japan
Play value
Screening
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Uses (ethnobotany)
Has been widely used in Japanese architecture.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Recreational Play Area
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Rock Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #children's garden #parks #large tree #fantz #spreading #needled evergreen #winter interest #mccarthy memorial garden #full sun tolerant #rock garden #playground plant #interesting bark #low maintenance #evergreen tree #buncombe county sun and shade garden #wildlife friendly #cpp #HS111 #HS304 #screen