Cedar of Japan

The cedar of Japan , or sugi ( Cryptomeria japonica ), is a coniferous pertaining to the family of the cypress (Cupressacées) originating in the Far East. It is the only member of the kind Cryptomeria . The species is present at Japan and in China.

The variety Cryptomeria japonica VAr. japonica is endemic of Japan, but it was largely and for a long time used in afforestation in Taiwan and continental China It was also more recently introduced with the island of the Meeting and the Azores.

The variety Cryptomeria japonica VAr. sinensis , sometimes considered as a species ( Cryptomeria sinensis Sieb. or Cryptomeria fortunei ) is characterized by branches hails and hanging and would be originating in particular in Zhejiang.

Description

It is a very large Arbre with persistent sheets reaching 70 m with a trunk 4 m in diameter with a bark red-brown which peels in vertical bands.

The Feuille S are arranged in spiral, like spines, of 0,5-1 cm length and the cones lécanie, 1-2 cm diameter with 20-40 slightly overlapping scales which carry, on their lower face, of the white bumps and yellows from where escape in season from many grains from pollen.

It is superficially similar to the Giant sequoia ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ), from which it can be differentiated by the longer sheets (less than 0,5 cm for the sequoia) and of the smaller cones (4-6 cm for the sequoia), and a harder bark (thick, soft and spongy for the sequoia).

Surface of distribution

Symbolism and use

The sugi is the national tree of Japan, where it is commonly planted around the Temple S, with many planted impressive subjects centuries ago. Sargent (1894; the flora of the forest in Japan ) brings back the circumstances of a Daimyo which was too poor to give a lantern hones some with the funeral of the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616) with Nikko, but required of the place to be authorized to plant an alley of sugi. The visitors in the future could be protected from the heat of the sun. The offer was accepted; the avenue which still exists extends on more than 65 km.

It is also planted abundantly in Japan and in China, and as decorative tree in the other countries with moderate climate (it fears freezing). One of the most popular forms is the cultivated version “Elegans” which with the characteristic to keep its youthful foliage all its life, instead of developing its adult foliage when it reaches the one year age.

The Bois is scented, of a color pink-red, light but extremely, imputrescible and resistant to the decomposition. It is often used in Japan for all the types of construction like in panels of interior.

Out of pot, in particular like Christmas tree or Bonsai, it requires for much moisture and yellows if it misses some or if one places it in full sun (cf 1.

See too

External bonds

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