Evergreen Specimen Trees – Japanese Umbrella Pine

Sciadopitys verticillata, commonly known as the Japanese Umbrella Pine is one plant which many will have never come across before. The plant is a living fossil, that is it is a plant with no known close living relatives. Botanists believe the Japanese Umbrella Pine to date back to a group of trees which flourished over 230 million years ago.

Today the Japanese Umbrella Pine has a small distribution, growing in the cool Japanese forests at an elevation of between 1,500 and 3,000 feet. Despite the rarity of the tree, or perhaps because of it, Sciadopitys Verticillata makes an ideal evergreen specimen tree.

Sciadopitys Verticillata – Site, Soil and Conditions for a Japanese Umbrella Pine

Soil – Choosing the correct soil for a Japanese Umbrella Pine is relatively important. In the first instance the tree dislikes lime and so a slightly acidic soil should be chosen. In addition the Japanese Umbrella Pine benefits from being able to spread its roots. As such, a deep soil should be chosen, if growing the specimen tree in a pot then choose a large variety such as an orange pot or better still, a half barrel.

Site – The Japanese Umbrella Pine is relatively hardy, this stated one should avoid open and exposed sites for best results. Considering the issue of sunlight, the Japanese Umbrella Pine will be happiest on a site experiencing partial shade.

Pruning – Given the attractive natural shape of the tree, pruning is not recommended. In addition the relatively slow rate of growth means that pruning is unnecessary for the usual reasons of taming vigorous growth

Sciadopitys Verticillata – Growth Habit of the Japanese Umbrella Pine

Growth Habit – The Japanese Umbrella Pine is an extremely slow growing specimen tree. In some senses, this makes the plant an ideal specimen tree for the smaller garden. Whilst the tree can reach a height of 30ft, this will take some 50 to 60 years to achieve. In reality most gardeners will see specimens put on 3ft in a 10 year period.

The Japanese Umbrella Pine grows in a symmetrical pyramid form over time. Each season stems produce a set of between 10 and 30 ‚”needles” which spread out in whorls, like the spokes on an umbrella. The needles are a shinny green colour and bronze at the tips in the winter to protect the plant from frosts.

Although not a true pine, after a number of years the Japanese Umbrella Pine will still form cones. Cones are typically 2 to 4 inches long and take two years to form. Cones are green in the first year, ripening to a brown colour in the second year of formation.

All in all the Japanese Umbrella Pine is an attractive specimen tree and will provide years of service, both aesthetically and as a garden talking point, if looked after correctly. On the downside, acquiring such a rare living fossil may be more of a challenge. As with many rarer specimen trees, the Japanese Umbrella Pine can also be an expensive purchase.

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Sources:

Hessayon, D, G. 2007. The tree and shrub expert. Expert books.