Family: Cupressaceae

Closely related to thujas, this single-species genus from Japan yields durable timber, used both in general construction and for finer cabi­network. While similar in several features to thujas, the leaves are larger and coarser and the cones are smaller and woody.

Species

T. dolabrata is fairly slow growing, but makes a handsome specimen tree. It has a vari­able growth habit, making a narrowly pyrami­dal, open tree of around 20 m (65 ft), or sometimes a spreading shrub. The flattened, scale-like, dark green leaves are silvery white below and the cones are blueish gray. Cultivar 'Nana' is a dwarf, spreading, flat-topped shrub, with green foliage, becoming bronze in winter; 'Variegate' is slow growing, to 10 m (33 ft) high, with bright green foliage, splashed with white.

Cultivation

This conifer needs a well-drained, yet moist soil and a sheltered, sunny position. Propagate from seed or cuttings as for thujas (see entry under Thuja).

Climate

Zone 7. Ideal for cool, moist climates.