Japanese cedar is a woody, needled evergreen tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae) that is native to central and southern Japan and China. It may reach 50 to 70 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide with a conical to pyramidal shape. The genus name comes from the Greek krypto , meaning "to hide," and meris , meaning "a part," in reference to the concealed position of the reproductive organs. The species epithet is Latin for "Japanese." Japanese cedar prefers rich, moist, well-drained, acidic soils but is adaptable to other soil types. It grows well in dappled sunlight, full sun, or partial shade. The reddish-brown exfoliating bark can be quite attractive, and the wood is highly valued for building many things. This cedar is resistant to damage by deer and is slightly salt-tolerant. It is generally considered low maintenance. The soft, graceful habit of the Japanese cedar makes it ideal as a specimen tree in a lawn or naturalized area. It is a great alternative to the Leyland cypress (x Hesperotropsis leylandii) for screening purposes. Shorter cultivars are available. Quick ID Hints: Leaves are saber shaped and turn in toward branch Male cones are in terminal clusters, round, ½ to 1 inch Leaves vary in length on same branch Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Problems may include leaf spot, leaf blight, and fungi.
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
24-60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Conical; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Brown/Copper; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Acicular
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Smooth; Soft
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3/4 inch evergreen bright or blue-green needles are spirally arranged and awl-shaped. They are 4-angled and curve inward with a slight twist. Needles persist for 4-5 years. May develop bronze tones in the winter. First needles produced each year are shorter than later produced needles.
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower detail
monoecious, with male and female cones
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Male (pollen) cones are in clusters near the apex of branches and are oblong and scaly. Female (seed) cones are round, brown, rosette looking on terminal branches singly or in groups.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Reddish-brown, showy exfoliating bark.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Branches are whorled and horizontally spreading to slightly drooping. Branchlets are green the first year. Winter buds are small and non-scaly.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central & South Japan and China
Food & Medicine
Uses (ethnobotany)
Highly valued wood for building many different things