Chamaecyparis obtusa
Hinoki Falsecypress
Cupressaceae
ExpandHabitat
- native to Japan
- zone 5
Habit and Form
- evergreen with a narrow conical shape
- spreading branches are pendulous
- 50' to 75' in the landscape; 120' tall in the wild
- 10' to 20' wide
- medium growth rate
- medium texture
Summer Foliage
- appressed scale leaves of two varying sizes
- the larger scale pair are boat-like with the smaller pair similar to a triangle
- white X-like lines on underside
- dark green color
Autumn Foliage
- no autumn color
- tends to brown in winter
Flowers
- not of ornamental importance
- monoecious
Fruit
- small cones, with only 8 scales
- found on short stalks
- orange brown in color
Bark
- shredding red-brown bark
Culture
- moist, loamy soil
- needs a well-drained site
- best in full sun; tolerates light shade
Landscape Use
- mass plantings
- specimen
- dwarf forms used in rock gardens
- foundation planting
Liabilities
- does not do well in alkaline soil
- does not transplant well
ID Features
- scale like leaves
- white X-like lines on underside of scales
- two scale leaf sizes
- shredding bark
Propagation
- by cuttings
Cultivars/Varieties
'Crippsii', 'Fernspray Gold' and 'Gracilis Aurea' - These forms are among the most common nursery selections with growth that is yellow or tipped yellow.
'Nana Gracilis'- The most common form of the species, very common in the trade and in gardens. Foliage is thick, dark green in color and arranged on "wavy" branches. Commonly used as a specimen or foundation planting. The habit is broad and conical, growing slowly to 6'-8'. The growth form may revert.