Common Name: Hiba

General Information

Thujopsis dolabrata is an evergreen tree with a pyramidal crown; it can grow up to 15.00 metres tall[].
This species is an important forest tree in Japan and is one of the 'five trees of Kiso' (all are conifers) originally preserved for imperial use. There are now managed state forests with this species as the dominant tree besides some imperial forests[].
Thujopsis dolabrata and its varieties are widespread and show no evidence of decline. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Japan.

Habitat

In sunny rocky places[, ]. A component of conifer and conifer-angiosperm forests from lowland coastal areas to montane sites in regions with a cool, moist climate; at elevations from 300 - 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Thujopsis dolabrata is native to the temperate maritime climate of Japan where it can experience heavy rainfall and witer temperatures that can fall to around -20°c[].
Requires a moist sheltered site, preferably in or beside woodland[]. Requires a high humidity but it is virtually unaffected by pH or winter temperatures[].
A very slow growing plant in Britain[], seedlings only grow about 3cm a year for the first 6 - 10 years and do not attain 30cm a year even when well established[].
Unless shaded out by neighbouring trees, this plant usually retains its lower branches[].
Younger trees of this species are valued for their ornamental qualities due to a striking contrast between upper lustrous green and lower white banded leaf surfaces. The tree is widely planted in Japan as well as in other countries with a temperate maritime climate. Several cultivars are known, most common are those with variegated leaves and some dwarf forms with compact growth and smaller leaves. The earliest of these were selected in Japan and introduced to Europe at the same time as the species, around the middle of the 19th century[].
Only occasionally does this species form more or less pure stands, this is mainly the case with the northern variety Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae. Elsewhere, trees are mostly scattered and small and must be extremely shade tolerant, growing under canopy of Tsuga or Fagus and competing with shrubs such as Ilex rugosa[].
The variable disposition of foliage branches and the development of stomatal zones on leaves indicate adaptability to changing light conditions[].
The ability of this species to self-layer is probably another strategy to maintain sufficient light interception under an expanding canopy, especially in earlier phases of growth[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark is used for match cord, for filling (caulking) between boards on boats etc to prevent water leaking[, ]

The wood is soft, durable, elastic. It is used for construction, cabinet work, water pipes, ship building etc[, ].
Its light, soft, resinless and durable wood is used in construction, for bridges, buildings, furniture, the wooden basis of laquer work, wood carving, etc[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown when ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[]. Stored seed germinates best if given a short cold stratification[]. It can be sown in a cold frame in late winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. The plants make very little growth in their first year[]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
If growing large quantities of plants, the seed can be sown in an outdoor seed bed in mid spring[]. Grow the plants on for two years and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late autumn or early spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, mid summer in a shaded frame. Forms roots by the end of September but it should be overwintered in a frame[].
Cuttings of almost ripe wood.