Sign 25
Pine, Umbrella ‘Picola’
Japanese, Dwarf
Sciadopitys
verticillata ‘Picola’
- Interest:
- Evergreen
- Family:
- Sciadopityaceae
- Form:
- Tree, Conifer
Tree
Description: A slow-growing evergreen with glossy, thick, waxy needles arranged in whorls that resemble the ribs of an umbrella. It matures at 6–10 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide, forming a dense pyramidal shape. Valued for its unique texture, year-round color, and longevity, it thrives in well-drained, acidic soils. This evergreen attracts birds.
The Japanese Umbrella Pine is a living fossil whose family dates back over 200 million years, found naturally only in Japan. One of the five sacred trees of Kiso, it was historically reserved for temples and imperial use. Its water-resistant wood was traditionally used to craft boats and bathtubs.
Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
More plant info
What to look for
The glossy needles grow in whorls at the branch tips, like the spokes of an umbrella. That is where both the common name and the scientific name come from: Sciadopitys is Greek for umbrella pine, and verticillata means whorled. The bark is reddish-brown and peels in strips.
A living fossil
The umbrella pine is the only living member of its plant family, with no close relatives. Fossils of the genus date back to the Late Cretaceous, the end of the age of dinosaurs. Today it grows wild only in Japan.
Growing it at home
‘Picola’ is a slow, dense dwarf form. The American Conifer Society lists it at about 30 inches tall and 15 inches wide after ten years, and nurseries describe it at about 4 feet by 3 feet in the garden. Give it sun to part shade and well-drained soil.
Sources
Guided tours of the arboretum are free, by appointment. Text Mary at 978-887-4202.