Hailing from southern Japan, it is often used for privacy screens because it’s so tall and dense.
It’s famous in Japanese gardens, and its dwarf form can be used as bonsai.
It is typically planted in fall or early spring.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Read on for our care guide.
Avoid areas with direct afternoon sun in hot climates because the tree can develop sun scorch.
The soil should be porous and well-drained to prevent excess water around the plant.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Water
When Hinoki cypress is newly planted, water it weekly for the first year.
Keep the soil around the tree moist by watering during the spring, summer, and fall.
When winter arrives, stop watering the treeit will brace itself to survive the harsh weather.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Temperature and Humidity
The Hinoki cypress tree enjoys a humid climate.
Fertilizer
If your soil is overly acidic, perform asoil testto find out.
Feed newly planted trees in fall or early spring with a slow-release, acidifying fertilizer.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Otherwise, mature trees may need no feeding unless the soil is deficient.
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Cut into new wood rather than the older brown branches.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Prune back dead branches and those that seem out of place to keep the tree looking its best.
Ideally, prune during the summer months.
Hinoki cypress trees feature globose seed cones that are 1/3 to 1/2 inch in diameter.
Vegetative propagation from cuttings is the better method.
Hinoki cypress can be easily propagatedthrough cuttings.
Move it to its new container, filling it with well-draining, rich potting soil.
If your Hinoki cypress is potted, it will require winterizing and continued sun exposure.
Place it in an unheated greenhouse or sunny enclosed porch for the winter.
Another potential pest is bagworms; the nests they form can be removed manually.
Avoid watering from overhead or leaving standing water on the foliage to control blight.
These trees prefer more acidic soil with pH levels of 6.0.
The more commontree varietiesare 25 to 40 feet tall.
It is an evergreen, so it keeps its leaves.
you could also expect the bronze pigmy Hinoki to turn a bronze color in fall and winter.
Dwarf varieties can be grown as bonsai.
Their thick dense foliage makes them especially attractive as bonsai trees.
A Hinoki cypress can grow up to 100 years old or more.
Chamaecyparis Obtusa: Hinoki Falsecypress.University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Chamaecyparis obtusa (Hinoki cypress, hinoki falsecypress) | north carolina extension gardener plant toolbox.
