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Cupressaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Thujopsis dolabrata

Thujopsis dolabrata

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Tree
GrowthSlow

Thujopsis dolabrata is native to the temperate maritime climate of Japan where it can experience heavy rainfall and witer temperatures that can fall to around -20°c[1]. Requires a moist sheltered site, preferably in or beside woodland[2]. Requires a high humidity but it is virtually unaffected by pH or winter temperatures[2]. A very slow growing plant in Britain[3], seedlings only grow about 3cm a year for the first 6 - 10 years and do not attain 30cm a year even when well established[4]. Unless shaded out by neighbouring trees, this plant usually retains its lower branches[3]. Younger trees of this species are valued for their ornamental qualities due to a striking contrast between upper lustrous green and lower white banded leaf surfaces. The tree is widely planted in Japan as well as in other countries with a temperate maritime climate. Several cultivars are known, most common are those with variegated leaves and some dwarf forms with compact growth and smaller leaves. The earliest of these were selected in Japan and introduced to Europe at the same time as the species, around the middle of the 19th century[5]. Only occasionally does this species form more or less pure stands, this is mainly the case with the northern variety Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae. Elsewhere, trees are mostly scattered and small and must be extremely shade tolerant, growing under canopy of Tsuga or Fagus and competing with shrubs such as Ilex rugosa[1]. The variable disposition of foliage branches and the development of stomatal zones on leaves indicate adaptability to changing light conditions[1]. The ability of this species to self-layer is probably another strategy to maintain sufficient light interception under an expanding canopy, especially in earlier phases of growth[5].

Propagation

Seed - best sown when ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[6]. Stored seed germinates best if given a short cold stratification[6]. It can be sown in a cold frame in late winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. The plants make very little growth in their first year[7]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If growing large quantities of plants, the seed can be sown in an outdoor seed bed in mid spring[7]. Grow the plants on for two years and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late autumn or early spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, mid summer in a shaded frame. Forms roots by the end of September but it should be overwintered in a frame[7]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Thujopsis+dolabrata>

Pollinators

Wind

References

  1. [1]The Gymnosperm Database — http://www.conifers.org/index.htm ↩︎A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms.
  2. [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  3. [3]Conifers. — Rushforth. K. · Christopher Helm · 1987 · ISBN 0-7470-2801-X ↩︎Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
  4. [4]Conifers in the British Isles. — Mitchell. A. F. · HMSO · 1975 · ISBN 0-11-710012-9 ↩︎A bit out of date (first published in 1972), but an excellent guide to how well the various species of conifers grow in Britain giving locations of trees.
  5. [5]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
  6. [6]The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. — Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. · Athens Ga. Varsity Press · 1987 · ISBN 0942375009 ↩︎A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
  7. [7]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
  8. [8]Flora of Japan. (English translation) — Ohwi. G. · Smithsonian Institution · 1965 · ISBN - ↩︎The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
  9. [9]Flora of Japan — http://www.foj.info ↩︎An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.
  10. [10]Dictionary of Economic Plants. — Uphof. J. C. Th. · Weinheim · 1959 · ISBN - ↩︎An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
  11. [11]A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. — Usher. G. · Constable · 1974 · ISBN 0094579202 ↩︎Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.