The umbrella fir - also known as the Japanese umbrella fir because of its origin - has its name for a reason: The needles of the cone-shaped, evergreen tree are grouped in clusters to form small, shiny umbrellas and are therefore very attractive not only in gardens with an Asian touch. However, the exotic conifer requires some effort in terms of planting and care.

The umbrella fir has long, beautiful needles and strong cones

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. leaves
  5. flowers and flowering time
  6. fruit
  7. toxicity
  8. Which location is suitable?
  9. soil / substrate
  10. Plant the umbrella fir correctly
  11. How do I plant correctly?
  12. Pour the umbrella fir
  13. Fertilize umbrella fir properly
  14. Cut the umbrella fir correctly
  15. Multiply umbrella fir
  16. hibernate
  17. diseases and pests
  18. species and varieties

    19. origin and distribution

    The umbrella fir (bot. Sciadopitys verticillata) is the only representative of the umbrella fir family (bot. Sciadopityaceae) and is distantly related to the various pine species - after all, botanists assign the species to the order of the pines (bot. Pinales). Millions of years ago there probably existed other umbrella fir species, which were also widespread in Central Europe and made a significant contribution to the formation of today's lignite.

    However, only the umbrella fir native to southern Japan has survived. There, the species grows in the cloud forests, which are characterized by high rainfall and high humidity, at altitudes between 500 and 1000 meters. The very slow-growing trees can become very old and, in their homeland, can grow to a height of up to 40 meters and trunk diameters of up to three meters.

    Since the umbrella fir is also one of the five sacred trees in Japan, it is often found in temples. Nevertheless, the species is considered to be threatened with extinction - and is therefore on the International Red List of Threatened Plants - as faster-growing tree species are preferred in afforestation and new planting for economic reasons.

    use

    The wood of the umbrella fir is water-resistant - and is therefore traditionally used in Japan to build boats, houses and furniture. The typical Japanese hot tub, for example, has been made from umbrella pine wood for centuries.

    In the home garden, however, the conspicuous conifer belongs in a distinctive, solitary position, where it can optimally develop its visual effect. The umbrella fir fits particularly well in Asian-style garden landscapes, where it protrudes, for example, between flat shrubs, grasses or shrubs. The Japanese maple in particular, but also rhododendrons and azaleas or the Japanese spindle shrub harmonize wonderfully with the enchanting umbrella fir. Furthermore, it feels very comfortable in gravel or heather gardens, where its shape is most effective. Small varieties such as the 'Green Ball' or 'Piccola' also thrive in larger planters without any problems.

    appearance and growth

    The umbrella fir is an evergreen and very slow-growing coniferous tree that grows by an average of between 20 and 25 centimeters a year. Although the tree can grow up to 40 meters high in its Japanese homeland, it reaches a maximum height of ten to twelve meters even under favorable growth conditions in Central Europe. In most cases, however, the local specimens do not grow higher than about six meters. The densely conical crown is up to four meters wide at its widest point, but tapers towards the top. The tree forms one or more trunks and is heavily branched, creating a dense overall picture. The smooth, reddish-brown bark sheds in long, thin strips on older trees.

    leaves

    At the ends of the horizontally protruding branches are up to ten centimeters long, shiny green, soft and fleshy needles. These are arranged like an open whorl or umbrella - the umbrella fir owes its German name to this striking arrangement. In addition, scale-like, inconspicuous short needles lie flat on the trunk.

    flowers and flowering time

    The umbrella fir belongs to the monoecious plants, i. H. there are both male and female flowers on a single tree. The male flowers appear a year before the female ones in the form of small spherical clusters at the ends of the shoots, while the female flowers only appear between April and May of the following year.

    fruit

    The cones, which are typical for many coniferous trees, are only formed very late in the umbrella fir - the upright fruit casings, which are up to eleven centimeters long, can only be seen at an age of 25 years or more. These are still green in the first year, but gradually turn dark brown during the ripening process in the second year. Each individual cone can contain up to 150 flat seeds that are up to twelve millimeters long and winged.

    toxicity

    The umbrella fir is not poisonous and can therefore be planted in gardens with playing children or pets without any worries.

    Which location is suitable?

    With regard to the ideal location, the umbrella fir is quite demanding: the tree feels most comfortable in a sunny to semi-shady place, which, however, must not be too hot or too unprotected. The wood, which is used to high humidity, can only tolerate heat and the scorching sun if the soil is correspondingly moist. Wind, on the other hand, should be avoided, as young specimens in particular are very sensitive to strong drafts. Therefore, a wind-protected, bright location - for example in a depression - is perfect. However, avoid planting in front of a white south-facing wall or wall, where the tree quickly becomes too warm.

    soil / substrate

    As in its natural location, the umbrella fir prefers a well-drained, but still moist, nutrient-rich soil in the garden. Ideally, this is sandy-humic, as heavy soils tend to waterlogging and growth in loamy subsoil is very slow - despite its high moisture requirement, the tree does not tolerate waterlogging and reacts with root rot. The umbrella fir also does not like prolonged drought (e.g. during hot summer days) or calcareous soils and reacts quickly to the corresponding conditions with discolored needles. The soil must not dry out, especially in sunny locations.

    The umbrella fir feels most comfortable in a bog bed together with ferns, azaleas and rhododendrons. Specimens cultivated in pots should therefore be placed in rhododendron soil or in humus-rich potting soil.

    Plant the umbrella fir correctly

    In the trade you can get the Japanese umbrella fir either in pots or in balls. Potted plants can be planted all year round as long as the ground is not frozen or it is not too hot (and therefore very dry) during the summer months. Both impair the healthy growth of young trees. Balled goods, on the other hand, are best planted between October and April when the weather is mild. From the beginning, make sure that you plant enough distance, as umbrella firs can get very tall with age - even if they grow slowly and therefore look like small bushes at first.

    And this is how it is planted:

    • choose a suitable location
    • Dig up the planting site deeply and loosen the soil
    • provide soil improvement if necessary
    • Enhance soil, for example, with sand, compost and/or bog soil
    • Dig a planting hole
    • this should be twice as deep and wide as the root ball
    • Place the root ball of the tree in a bucket of water
    • Allow roots to soak up moisture
    • Hold the umbrella fir in the planting hole and fill in the soil
    • The root ball should be at the same height as the garden soil or be flush with it
    • Press the soil lightly
    • pour vigorously

    The root area should then be covered with a layer of mulch about three to five centimeters thick so that the moisture stays in the soil longer.

    How do I plant correctly?

    Since the umbrella fir belongs to the flat-rooted species - and therefore does not develop deep taproots - and also grows very slowly, it can still be transplanted in later years. However, you should preferably take such a measure in the cool season and not necessarily during the hot summer months, so that the tree does not suffer from a lack of water. Dig up the rootstock carefully and generously to minimize root damage. Then make sure there is an ample water supply so that the umbrella fir can grow quickly in its new location.

    Pour the umbrella fir

    Never let the soil dry out completely, especially in the weeks after planting and during the summer months. Ensure an even water supply for planted specimens as well, but avoid waterlogging at all costs. Since umbrella firs are sensitive to lime, use collected rainwater or filtered tap water if possible.

    Fertilize umbrella fir properly

    Regular fertilization is basically not necessary. However, if you have the impression that the umbrella fir looks dull, the needles are perhaps turning yellowish (and there are no other reasons behind it), then you can supply the tree with compost or a fir fertilizer. The best month for this measure is April, so that the plant can then push through vigorously.
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    Cut the umbrella fir correctly

    Since the umbrella fir naturally develops an even and dense cone-shaped growth, you should not disturb it with pruning measures. The secateurs or saw can therefore remain in the shed.
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    Multiply umbrella fir

    Propagating the umbrella fir yourself is not easy and also requires a lot of patience - after all, as already mentioned, it is a very slow-growing tree. You can choose between propagation via seeds and vegetative propagation via cuttings.

    sowing

    In order for you to be able to harvest ripe seeds from your own tree, it must be at least 25 years old - the umbrella fir does not bloom or bear fruit before that. However, you can purchase germinable seed from specialist retailers and use it for sowing. In April, place the flat seeds in a box filled with growing medium and cover it with a translucent lid. Keep the substrate slightly moist and be patient: germination begins after 100 to 120 days at the earliest - and after another two growth periods the young plants have usually reached a height of only three to four centimeters.

    cuttings

    The production of new young plants via cuttings works a little faster, although the vegetative form of propagation is not always crowned with success. To do this, cut half-ripe shoots about ten centimeters long in June or July and grow them in a nursery box under foil or another cover.

    hibernate

    In the right location, the umbrella fir is hardy and therefore does not need any additional protection. Only young trees are very sensitive to late frosts that occur in spring and should be protected from them with a thick layer of leaves and mulch.

    diseases and pests

    Diseases and pests rarely occur in the umbrella fir. Only young trees are occasionally attacked by spider mites, otherwise any abnormalities are usually due to location or care errors.

    What to do about yellow or brown needles?

    If the needles turn yellow or brown, there are always problems with the location or poor care. There are many causes of needle discoloration:

    • dryness
    • Strong sunlight (especially around midday)
    • Nutrient deficiencies, often nitrogen
    • Potassium deficiency common on sandy soils
    • Soil is calcareous or loamy
    • Over-fertilization (then the needles are often dropped / bare)

    Almost all causes can be remedied by moving the tree or replacing the potting soil. It will then recover and sprout green needles.

    tips

    The winter hardiness of a young umbrella fir can be improved by adding Epsom salt.

    species and varieties

    There is only one type of umbrella fir, but there are now a few proven cultivars. However, these are significantly smaller than the actual species:

    • 'Green Ball': spherical growth habit with short needles, reaches a maximum height of 80 centimeters within ten years
    • 'Piccola': pyramid-like growth, gets a little taller after ten years at around 100 centimeters
    • 'Koja-Maki': cone-shaped growth, reaches a height of up to three meters
    • 'Sternschnuppe': slender but extremely slow growth, after 25 years only about 250 centimeters high

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Trees