Cryptomeria Japonica Seeds

Cryptomeria japonica is a large ornamental evergreen tree, native to Japan and later introduced into India. In its native habitat the tree attains a height of about 30-40ft. and a girth of 20-25ft. Leaves are spiral, simple, entire, evergreen. Flowers are showy, monoecious with male and female flower. Fruits are round, brown and hard. It is moderately drought tolerant. Cryptomeria japonica is widely cultivated in Japan for timber and for afforestation purposes. In India, the tree grows in the western Himalayas, Assam, Darjeeling hills and Nilgiris. The tree is intolerant to dry weather and poor soils, so it grows well in finely drained and deep forest soils.

Cryptomeria japonica seeds are obtained from its cones which are produced by the tree in its fifth year. The initially green cones become brown when mature, and open their scales to shed the seeds. Cryptomeria japonica seed germination requires moist compost, which is free of any competing .