Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Lawson cypress)

Japanese name: ローソンヒノキ
Scientific name: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

[Overview]
An evergreen coniferous tree found in southwestern North America, growing in its native habitat to 50 m tall, sometimes 60 m, and about 1.2–2 m in diameter.
The tree has a narrow conical shape.
The trunk is erect, and the bark is reddish brown and split lengthwise.
The branches grow horizontally and droop at the tips.
The leaves are decussate (in opposite pairs at right angles), scale-like, about 3–5 mm long, glossy bright green to bluish green, and have a smell similar to parsley.
Both male and female flowers are borne at the tips of twigs; the male flowers are elliptic, reddish purple to dark red, and release a large amount of pollen.
The female flowers are spherical.
The cones are spherical, 7–14 mm in diameter, and ripen in autumn.
The seeds are about 3 mm and have wings on both sides.

[Uses]
The wood resembles that of hinoki (Japanese cypress), and is used for construction material, carving and musical instruments.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained place.
For potted plants and plants in the ground for less than 2 years, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For plants in the ground that have taken root, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer in winter.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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