Submitted by Andrew Pulte


The Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) has been a popular landscape tree for many years. Its billowy pyramidal form and graceful branching habit make it a true specimen tree. The cultivar 'Cristata' is a true conifer conversation piece, and its commercial availability is increasing.

True Japanese cedar species have spirally arranged, awl-shaped needles; however, Cristata has a look that is uniquely its own. Scattered throughout the plant are branches with congested groups of cocks-comb like needles. Together these branches look like moose antlers swaying in the wind.

Cristata is a plant you can't resist touching. The appearance of the soft, flat needles silently beg all passers by to reach out and feel this strange tree.

Cristata is smaller than the standard Cryptomeria cultivar, growing to a height of 10 feet in 10 years and reaching approximately 25 feet tall at maturity.

As an added benefit Cristata's fairly columnar form allows the tree to fit well into a smaller landscape. This tree will do best planted in full sun to partial shade with good well-drained soil.

The UT Gardens in Knoxville includes Cristata and many other interesting conifers in its collection. The UT Gardens are pleased to be among the destinations of the American Conifer Society's national meeting, June 14 - 17, in Knoxville. For more information on adding conifers to your garden or on the American Conifer Society, visit their Web site: www.conifersociety.org.

Andrew Pulte is a graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. He works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are located on Neyland Drive in Knoxville. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.

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