Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Den Ouden' is a dense, somewhat-irregular selection of Hinoki cypress with spreading branches and congested sprays of dark-green foliage. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure around 3 feet (1 m) tall and two-thirds as wide, an annual growth rate of 3 - 4 inches (7.5 - 10 cm).
This cultivar originated as a seedling sourced from Ch. obtusa 'Nana Gracilis', selected in 1926 by the nurseries of H. den Ouden, Boskoop, The Netherlands, who originally listed it as Ch. obtusa var. compacta 'Den Ouden.' For some unknown reason, den Ouden and Boom incorrectly renamed it, 'Compact Pyramid,' a designation still seen at times.
