Sciadopitys verticillata
Japanese Umbrella Pine, Umbrella Pine
Type Tree, woody plant
Hardy range 5B to 7A
Height 15' to 25' / 4.60m to 7.60m
Spread 6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m
Growth rate Slow
Form Pyramidal
Exposure Full shade to full sun
Persistence Evergreen
Environment
This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color
This plant has attractive foliage.
Culture Notes
The Japanese Umbrella pine was chosen as a 1991 Gold Medal Plant by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for being a plant of exceptional merit, but underused in landscaping. Some shade in mid-day produces the best plants in the southern part of its range. The orange, peeling bark on older plants is quite attractive but is usually hidden by the foliage. Provide a moist, acidic soil and protection from the wind. Most trees in gardens are small due to the slow growth rate but there is one report of a tree more than 100 years old.
'Wintergreen' stays green even in the coldest of winters. 'Joe Kozey' has a narrow canopy.
Tree establishment specifications
Choose good quality trees for planting. The most common cause of young tree failure is planting too deep. In most instances, the point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk (referred to as the root flare zone or root collar) should be located just above the soil surface. You may have to dig into the root ball to find the root flare. If there is nursery soil over this area, scrape it off. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider because roots grow best in loose soil. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, extensive research clearly shows that there is no need to incorporate any amendments into the backfill soil. Simply use the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Simply planting with the topmost portion of the root ball slightly higher than the surrounding soil might still install the tree too deep - be sure to locate the root flare.
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