Common Name:

General Information

Pseudotsuga japonica is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall, occasionally reaching 40 metres[, ]. The bole is straight and cylindrical.
The tree is of minor importance as a timber tree in Japan due to its rarity and modest size, although veteran trees can attain substantial trunk diameters[].
This is a very rare species, with only small and scattered subpopulations of very slow growing trees. The total population is not larger than 2,500 trees, there are no subpopulations exceeding 250 mature trees and there is a continuing decline. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia -western and southern Japan

Habitat

Rare and scattered in sheltered valleys and steep ravines, growing on old volcanic rock; at elevations from 500 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pseudotsuga japonica is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -15°c when fully dormant. It is found in the warm and moist temperate climate of southern and western Japan, with a mean annual precipitation from 1,000 - 2,000mm[].

The tree is planted in some parks and traditional gardens in Japan. Outside of its country of origin it is a rare tree only present in some arboreta, where it grows slowly in cultivation and seems to remain a small tree with a rather limited life span[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is used for construction of traditional buildings and gateways and for furniture[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn to winter in a cold frame so that it is stratified[]. The seed can also be stored dry and sown in late winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Seedlings tolerate light shade for their first few years of growth. Cones often fall from the tree with their seed still inside[].
If you have plenty of seed then it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed in early spring[]. Grow the plants on for at least two years in the seedbed before planting them out in late autumn or early spring.