Sciadopitys verticillata
Umbrella Pine
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Sciadopitys genus in the family Sciadoptyaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Sciadoptyaceae
- Genus
- Sciadopitys
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 15 m
- Spread
- 6 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An oil obtained from the wood is used for varnishes and dyes[9]. Wood - soft, elastic, water-resistant. Used for boats etc[7][9].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Oil
- Product or use
- Varnish
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - S. Japan.
- Habitat
- Mountains[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - requires 3 months cold stratification and so it can be sown in a cold frame either as soon as it is ripe in the autumn or in January[3]. Only cover the seed lightly and place the pot in a sunny position[3]. The seed can be difficult to germinate[10]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. The seedlings are very slow-growing and take about 3 years to reach 30cm tall[3] so be sure to mulch them well and perhaps give them some protection such as a tree guard made from a plastic bottle with its top and bottom removed[K].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a good loamy soil[2]. Grows well near water, tolerating a wet site[10]. Thrives in all conditions except limey soils[10]. It prefers a pH in the range of 4 to 6, and although it will grow at pH 7 or above it becomes chlorotic[6]. Tolerates some shade but prefers an open position in full sun[10]. Dislikes cold or violent winds[1]. Grows best in mild damp areas with warm humid summers[6]. A very hardy plant[2], tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c when it is fully dormant[6]. A slow-growing tree when very young[2][10]. Some trees have grown slowly but generally they are of moderate growth in Britain, often averaging 30cm a year and increasing their girth by 2.5cm a year[4]. The cones ripen over a period of 2 years[5]. There are two forms of this species, one is shrub-like whilst the other is a tall-growing tree[2]. Plants should be put into their permanent positions as soon as possible in order for them to develop a good root system, plants more than 1 metre tall check badly for a number of years[6]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X