Chamaecyparis pisifera
Sawara Falsecypress

Family:

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family) 102

Genus:

Chamaecyparis (Falsecypress Cypress Alaska Cedar Cedar, Alaska) 10

Plant Type:

Tree 579

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 5 236

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Evergreen 249

Foliage:

Green (Dense, plumose to graceful, loose, string-like evergreen foliage, depending on variant)

Fruit:

Brown (Small (0.25" dia.), pea-like cones)

Ultimate Height:

50-70 feet

Ultimate Spread:

10-20 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil:

Does not perform well on alkaline soils

Range:

Japan

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are awl-like (0.08-0.13" long) and dark green on top, with whitish lines beneath, produced on flattened, 2-ranked branchlets in horizontal planes. Needles softer than junipers. Small, yellowish-brown, pea-like cones (0.25" dia.) with 6-8 scales, and shrunken center. Reddish-brown bark peels off in thin strips.

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

The species and full-size variants are often used as "quick" foundation and corner plantings, and just as quickly outgrow these situations. These variants should be grown as trees, and the dwarf variants used in more intensive situations. Numerous brown needles and branchlets are retained, and not especially attractive. This species requires good drainage and does not tolerate wet soils. Provide shelter from the wind.