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Pinaceae FAMILY Near Threatened

Tsuga sieboldii

Tsuga sieboldii

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Tree
Growth—

Tsuga sieboldii grows on various soils derived from granitic or volcanic rock. The climate is moist temperate, with annual precipitation between 1,000 mm and 2,000 mm, the winters are relatively mild[1]. The plant can tolerate occasional temperatures falling as low as -20°c[2]. A plant of cool, shady mountainsides, where it is usually found on mildly to strongly acid soils, in lowland areas it requires a cool, sheltered microclimate, such as a damp, clay hollow that is moderately well drained[3]. Young trees are very shade tolerant and do not like full sun, though they become more tolerant of sunny positions as they grow. The tree takes around 30 years from seed before it starts producing seed[1]. As an ornamental tree it is grown in Japanese gardens and parks, temple grounds and also in large pots. This species was introduced to Europe (the Netherlands) in 1850 and is still in cultivation on both sides of the North Atlantic, but uncommon. It is slow growing and often makes a shrubby, spreading tree with a dense crown[1].

Propagation

Seed - it germinates better if given a short cold stratification[4, 5] and so is best sown in a cold frame in autumn to late winter. It can also be sown in early spring, though it might not germinate until after the next winter. If there is sufficient seed, an outdoor sowing can be made in spring[6]. Pot-grown seedlings are best potted up into individual pots once they are large enough to handle - grow them on in a cold frame and plant them out in early summer of the following year. Trees transplant well when they are up to 80cm tall, but they are best put in their final positions when they are about 30 - 45 cm or less tall, this is usually when they are about 5 - 8 years old[3]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[3]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Tsuga+sieboldii>

Pollinators

Wind

References

  1. [1]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.
  2. [2]The Gymnosperm Database — http://www.conifers.org/index.htm ↩︎A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms.
  3. [3]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.
  4. [4]Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. — McMillan-Browse. P. · Grower Books · 1985 · ISBN 0-901361-21-6 ↩︎Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.
  5. [5]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.
  6. [6]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.
  7. [7]Flora of Japan — http://www.foj.info ↩︎An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.