Sciadopitys verticillata

Name: Sciadopitys verticillata

Common Name: Japanese umbrella pine

Description: This tree grows in a tight pyramid form. On young plants, branches stick straight out from its single trunk, but branches droop as the tree ages. The brownish-orange exfoliating bark is attractive. It has large linear leaves in terminal whorls of 20 to 30, and these leaves are 2-5 inches long and somewhat flattened. The large needles are dark green and glossy.

Culture: Give the Japanese umbrella pine a bit of shade during the hot part of the day when grown in the southern part of its range. It grows best in a moist, acidic soil and protection from the wind. It grows quite slowly (about 6 inches per year), reaching 25-30 feet high and a 15- to 20-foot spread in 100 years.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8.

Propagation: Seed or cuttings. Reportedly difficult to propagate.

Landscape use: Beautiful specimen tree, and because of its slow growth rate and small stature, could be used in a large container. This tree is not commonly found in nurseries.