It’s been a busy weekend of sports. I had sort of decided I was going to give Foliage Follow-up a miss this month. But I’m finding out that rather than preventing me from my pursuit of interesting trees around town, following my kids around to athletic events is leading me to some good tree viewing opportunities.
After my oldest kid’s baseball championship today (first place!), we were a little early delivering child #2 to his weekly soccer clinic. I wandered one block over to Concordia University.
I like to check out the landscaping every time I’m here and was glad to stroll and look today. When I saw this outside the library, I knew I had a subject for Foliage Follow-up. (Yes, it’s late in the day, but I haven’t missed it yet!)
Cryptomeria japonica — what is there of interest here? Here’s what you would expect to see of the foliage:
But upon closer examination, here’s what I found.
What’s going on here? This is crested Japanese cedar (not a true cedar), cultivar Cryptomeria japonica ‘Cristata.’ The growth occurs in these fasciated or cockscomb shapes. If I had had more time, I would have taken dozens of photos. I found each spot where I aimed my camera more interesting than the one before. This would make a good specimen plant.
OK, last one — my favorite because of the textural detail. For more looks at eye-catching foliage, hop on over to Pam Penick’s Digging.
Here are the particulars on this tree, which I found on Great Plant Picks.
- Eventual height of 15 feet and width of 7 feet
- Evergreen conifer with columnar form
- USDA zones 6 to 9
- Sun to part shade
Portland Tree Tour 
I love this tree! I saw one in a nursery awhile back and have been in love with it ever since. Guess I’m going to have to take Lila for a walk around Concordia University.
Enjoy — if you make some more discoveries over there, please share!
Wow! Great find! I’ve never seen anything like that here in Japan…Amazing. Great close-ups!!
Yeah, too much fun with a camera, this tree. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before, here or in Japan. Keep an eye out though, Nor.
WHOA. So cool!
Right?
The search is on!
Let me know where it turns up – I can’t recall ever seeing this before.
Cool fasciation! Thanks for sharing, and I’m glad you haven’t missed a foliage celebration. See you next month!
Love that–what fun foliage!
I can’t decide if I like it or if I’m freaked out by it. Either way, I can’t stop looking at it.
That is certainly a new one to me. I wonder if the pollen is as bad as the regular ones.
Norie says she’s never seen it either, Mom. I can’t find much information on it, but saw somewhere that it’s a cultivar from Japan, made available around 1900. Keep a look out.
I is a condition called Fasciation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciation
Thanks for sharing!