Chamaecyparis pisifera (Japanese Falsecypress)
Michael's Opinion
This plant may be considered a bit of a tramp in the landscape since it becomes haggard with age.
Botanical Information
Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Chamaecyparis |
Species | pisifera |
Category | Woody |
Type | Tree (evergreen) |
Origin | Native to Japan. |
Pronunciation |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 4-8 |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 3-9 |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | Hardy up to 0 (C) |
Temperature (°F) | Hardy up to 0 (F) |
Height | 16-23 m |
Spread | 3-6 m |
Growth | Slow |
Description and Growing Information
General Description | Large evergreen tree with straight trunk and open, narrow, pyramidal crown. Bark reddish-brown, fibrous, shreddy, peeling in long thin strips. |
ID Characteristic | The Japanese Falsecypress has white lines on the underside of its scales as well as exfoliating bark. |
Shape | Large, loosely pyramidical evergreen tree. |
Landscape | Ideally used to the rear of a border as a backdrop to other plants. Since it is a large plant it best suited to park-like landscape. |
Propagation | Stem cuttings. |
Cultivation | Plant in full sun, water regularly but do not overwater. Plant in a moist, well drained soil; it will not tolerate wet feet. |
Pests | Tip blight can be a problem in early stages of its growth. |
Habitat | Naturally occurs in Japan, prefers moist soil and full sun, drought tolerant. |
Bark/Stem Description | Reddish brown, exfoliates in long thin strips. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Palm shaped, brown. |
Leaf Description | Dark green, scale like, sharp and overlapping. |
Flower Description | Monoecious, not of ornamental importance. |
Fruit Description | Small cones with very few scales. Scales are soft to the touch. Cones can be clustered at shoot tips. |
Colour Description | Dark green, browns in winter. Red-brown bark. |
Texture Description | Medium. |
Photographs
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Nana Aurescens'
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Intermedia'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Intermedia'.](photos/DSC__6740_2.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Intermedia'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Mavis'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Mavis'.](photos/DSC__6764.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Mavis'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Compacta'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Compacta'.](photos/DSC__6737.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Compacta'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Lemon Thread' in the conifer garden at Fanshawe College, London, Ontario. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Lemon Thread' in the conifer garden at Fanshawe College, London, Ontario.](photos/DSC__6887.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Lemon Thread' in the conifer garden at Fanshawe College, London, Ontario.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow' at Niagara Parks Botanical Garden. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow' at Niagara Parks Botanical Garden.](photos/C.pisifera Snow NPC_BR.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow' at Niagara Parks Botanical Garden.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'.](photos/cpBoulevard.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera'.](photos/cpFilifera.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea'.](photos/cpFiliferaAurea.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Dumosa'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Dumosa'.](photos/cpSquarrosaDumosa.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Dumosa'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Sulphurea'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Sulphurea'.](photos/cpSquarrosaSulphurea.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Sulphurea'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold'.](photos/cpSungold.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold'.
![Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Curly Tops'. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Curly Tops'.](photos/Chamaecyparis-pisifera-curly-tops-form.jpg)
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Curly Tops'.