PlantFiles: Japanese Cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Yoshino'

I have "Cryptomeria japonica Yoshino Japanese Cedar" planted in the ground in zone 8A for 4-5 years now. I planted it as a 6-7 ft. tall tree away but at the same time pretty close to tall oak trees, which (the oaks) are on a south side of the Japanese Cedar). It would get some overhead and morning sun, especially in summer, but a lot of time it would stay in a shade of the oak tree, although not directly under it, about 50 ft. away from it. Then in the late afternoon and evening more shade from tall pines on the west side from it. In those 4 to 5 years it grew just barely a foot and did not develop any dense branches. It shed a lot and remained pretty much the same size for all those years, yet it did not die either. The soil is fine. Now I took the oaks out and will see whether it will grow faster the next spring with a lot more sun hitting it. Thus the myth that these trees grow in part shade is busted.

We have two - the one in a moister location is not doing as well as then one exposed in the middle of the yard. This could be due to the moisture, or due to the fact that it has spent three seasons in a row pushing out huge numbers of cones. Extremely fast growing. Perfectly conical without trimming, dense habit, soft. Gracefully sways in the wind. Makes an awesome outdoor living Christmas tree - the lights twinkle through the branches in the lightest wind!

Highly recommended as an alternative to Leyland Cypress, which is hugely overplanted in Maryland. Also check out the other Japanese Cedar varieties. We only have Yoshino, but the neighbors have others and they are just as beautiful and care free. Lovely when planted in a cluster.

Has demonstrated hardiness to zone 5b without any special protection. Yellows in winter but color returns to green in spring. A great tree that is underutilized in zones 5 & 6.