1 1 88 The Trees of Great Britain and Ireland 



Distribution 



In Japan this tree is indigenous, so far as I could learn, only in the central and 

 southern parts of the main island, and in Kiusiu and Shikoku ; but it is so highly 

 valued for its timber, which is considered the best of all the soft woods of Japan, that 

 it has been largely planted in many places, and is always found in the grounds of 

 Shinto temples, which are usually built of its wood. It is one of the five royal trees 

 which were reserved for imperial and religious uses in ancient times ; and is known 

 in Japan as Hinoki. 



The best natural forests which I saw are in the districts of Kisogawa and near 

 Koyasan, where the tree grows at an elevation of from about 2000 to 5000 ft. on rich 

 volcanic and granitic soil, usually mixed with C. pisifera and other conifers and 

 hardwood trees, and sometimes attains very large dimensions. It is not easily 

 distinguished in the forest from C. pisifera, but has smoother and paler bark ; and the 

 branches have a more ascending and less drooping habit. 



Though in the forest the trees do not usually attain more than 80 to 90 ft. 

 high, yet I saw many at Koyasan over 100 ft., and measured one close to the gate of 

 the great temple at Koyasan which was 108 ft. by \2\ ft. ; and in the temple court 

 at Nikko there were two fine trees said to be about 300 years old, and nearly as large. 



Plate 303 shews an isolated tree which I found at Maichi near Nikko. Plate 

 304 represents a tree grown in forest for timber. 



Mayr says that at its upper limit, where it mingles with Picea Alcockiana and 

 P. hondoensis, it attains about 80 ft., but that on good soil, mixed with chestnuts and 

 other hardwoods, over which its crown towers in the forest, it attains 140 ft. in height 

 and 7 ft. in girth, with a stem clear of branches to 60 ft. The largest tree recorded 

 by Mayr grew in Mitzumine, mixed with Zelkova, maples, and oaks. 



In Japan the reproduction by seed is easy ; and though the growth is much 

 slower than that of Cryptomeria, yet C. obtusa is preferred for planting wherever the 

 soil and climate are suitable. 



This species has recently been discovered in Formosa, growing on Mount 

 Morrison, with leaves, cones, and seeds somewhat smaller than is usual in Japan. 1 



Cultivation 



This species was introduced into cultivation in Europe by J. Gould Veitch in 

 1 86 1, and has become popular as an ornamental small tree in English gardens. It 

 is perfectly hardy, but probably requires more heat than our climate affords to bring 

 it to timber size ; and being generally propagated by cuttings is usually seen in a 

 shrubby form. It dislikes lime in the soil, and, according to Mr. Coleman, does not 

 thrive on that account at Eastnor. It ripens its seed perfectly in the south of 

 England. 



1 Distinguished as forma formosana by Hayata in Card. Chron. xliii. 194 (1908), and in Jourti. Coll. Sc. Tokyo, xxv. 

 208 (1908). Mr. Hayata informs us that this tree attains an enormous size in the mountains of Formosa. 



