I love this tree. It’s unlike any other tree that I know. Rarity lends it interest. The name gives it importance. Sciadopitys verticillata, doesn’t it just roll off the tongue?   Skiados is Greek for umbel and pitys means fir tree. Verticillata means whorled.  A perfect description for the Japanese Umbrella Tree.  I want to be in that upper tower of the horticultural library where plants are named.  It would be fun to have the opportunity to name a plant and I like to imagine it happens in a botanical castle far, far away.  In reality plant naming probably occurs in a very ordinary room lit by the soft glow of a computer.   Japanese Umbrella Pine is well-named.  A beautiful plant, it can be hard to find and expensive, but worth every penny.

Umbrella Pine (Monkey Puzzle tree looking over it’s shoulder!)

Slow growing Umbrella Pine fills a container as a summer companion and adds winter interest.

Beautiful whorled foliage

Young Umbrella Pine

Umbrella Pine at the Nursery

Just The Facts
Sciadopitys verticillata    Japanese Umbrella Pine
Height 25-40 ft (8-12m)
Ten Year Height 5-7 ft. (1.5-2m) Very slow growing
Width 15-20 ft
Evergreen, coniferous, long-lived
Rich, moist, acidic soil with full sun
2-4 inch long cones
Needles persist three years