A tall, evergreen coniferous tree, the Hinoki cypress hails from southern Japan. The soaring tree is often used for privacy screens because it’s so tall and dense. It is also a favorite for ornamental plantings, and dwarf forms of this tree are popular for bonsai. Hinoki cypress trees feature globose cones that are 8 to 12 millimeters in diameter. Although dwarf cultivars exist that are just a couple of feet tall, Hinoki cypress species can grow to 75 feet tall, although the more common tree varieties are 25 to 40 feet tall.
This tree has a slow to medium growth rate and can grow about 12 inches per year (some cultivars grow much more slowly). It is typically planted in fall or early spring and can be grown from seed sown in spring.
- Botanical Name Chamaecyparis obtusa
- Common Name Hinoki cypress, hinoki falsecypress, Japanese cypress
- Plant Type Evergreen coniferous tree or shrub
- Mature Size Up to 20 feet wide and 75 feet tall
- Sun Exposure Full sun (at least 6 hours)
- Soil Type Moist, fertile, well-drained
- Soil pH 5.0 to 6.0
- Bloom Time Non-flowering
- Flower Color Non-flowering
- Hardiness Zones 5 to 8
- Native Area Japan
Hinoki cypress trees don’t do well as transplants when fully matured. Therefore, if you want to grow this type of tree, place it as a sapling or plant the seeds in a location that can handle its large size at maturity. These cypress trees, once established, do not require much maintenance.
Light: A Hinoki cypress tree does best in an area that gets full sun for six hours a day. Avoid areas that get direct sun the majority of the day because the tree can develop sun scorch.1
Soil: Hinoki cypress prefers moist soil that’s neutral to slightly acidic. Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture, keep the soil cool, and fend off weeds that could harm the tree. The soil should be porous and well-drained to prevent an excess of water around the plant.
Water: When you first plant your cypress tree, water it weekly for the first year. Keep the soil around the tree moist by watering during the spring, summer, and fall months. When winter arrives, stop watering the tree—it will harden itself to survive the harsh weather. After the tree has established, you need to water only during severe and prolonged droughts.
Temperature and Humidity: The Hinoki cypress tree enjoys a humid climate. In the U.S., it’s best suited for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 through 8, which covers the majority of the middle of the country.
Fertilizer: Feed newly planted trees (in fall or early spring) with a slow-release, acidifying fertilizer. Otherwise, mature trees may need no feeding unless the soil is deficient.
Pruning: When the upright branches of a Hinoki cypress tree forks, you can prune it. Cut into new wood, rather than the older brown branches. Prune back dead branches, as well as those that seem out of place, in order to keep the tree looking its best. Ideally, prune during the summer months.
