At planting in fall color in October 2010, pretty small – 18″ maybe
Early February 2011 – no growth yet, but good color all winter
After one seasons growth – December 2011
Next summer – June 2012 – lots of growth
July 2012 – strong tip growth
November 2012 – Tons of new growth!
May 2013 – Beginning new growth
October 2013 – Very big now…
November 2013 – Wow…
April 2014 – pruned up some for walkway
May 2014 – full growth
November 2014 – Fall color beginning
March 2015 – Green again
July 2015
November 2015 – Good Fall color
February 2016 – Coming out of  Winter
February 2016 Â – Getting tall now
June 2016 – Yesterday
I know this is kind of a long strange post, but it seemed like the best way to show off the growth of this amazing tree. It’s got to be one of the fastest growing trees I’ve ever come across. As you can see it sometimes put on 3-4 ft of growth in one year. I’ve seen Coast Redwoods do 5-6ft but that’s in their habitat. This one really likes it here in our Sanctuary and I’m so pleased to have it. Â The botanical name is Cryptomeria japonica “Elegans” and it’s better known as a Sugi in Japan.
It’s one of my “pettable” trees, perhaps the finest, with it’s elegant soft needles that don’t ever prick you, as so many conifers do. It’s billowing branches lift and drop in the breeze to create a delicate show of foliage that intrigues and softens the landscape. I love that it turns such strong colors in the fall and winter as well.
All in all one lovely tree, and just one of many (over 2-300) cultivars of this amazing Cryptomeria, the National Tree of Japan. It clearly likes it here in our peat bog in Seattle too. I hope you’ve enjoyed this retrospective of this beautiful tree.
Thanks for visiting our Garden,
Steve
Gardening in Greenwood 