Cryptomeria japonica (L. f.) D. Don, family Taxodiaceae Japanese Cedar An evergreen conifer, native to China and Japan. It is an important forestry tree in Japan, where it yields valuable timber. Cultivated as an ornamental in Europe and N. America. Grows to 30-55m (100-180ft) in Japan, usually smaller in cultivation. Male and female flowers are separate, but on the same tree. Male catkins are present throughout winter, then turn yellow, then shed pollen in late February or early March. Females are the tiny green rosettes at tips of shoots. They develop into green cones about 1.5cm (3/5in) across by autumn. These dry out, turn brown and release their seed the following autumn. Bark is reddish-brown and peels away in thin vertical strips. Zone 6.