Cryptomeria japonica 'Tansu' / Tansu Japanese cedar

Cryptomeria japonica 'Tansu' is a small, dense, irregular-pyramidal selection of Japanese cedar. Branching is random and clumpy and its semi-juvenile foliage is light-to-medium green, and longer in the middle of the stem. Needles will bronze in winter in colder climates. Iseli nursery describes it as having, "very attractive form; a perfect Asian-style garden accent plant."

After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 28 inches (70 cm) tall and 20 inches (50 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm)

This cultivar originated in 1982 at Iseli Nursery, Boring, Oregon, USA. It should be noted that the provisional name for this conifer was [Yatsubusa], which is identical to the name which is synonymous with C. japonica 'Yokohama.' These two selections are similar enough in appearance that they could very well prove to be one in the same.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Tansu' A small, dense, irregular pyramid. The needles are light-to-medium green, and longer in the middle of the stem. Very attractive form. Bronzes in winter. Perfect Asian style garden accent plant.
Photo by Iseli Nursery, Inc.
Cryptomeria japonica 'Tansu' at Stanley & Sons Nursery 2006-2007; wholesale nursery catalog
Photo by David Stegmaier

Comments

Jones Deborah K

Planted this spring, plant is now dark brown on top. Remainder is healthy & green. Any incite to this problem? It seemed to be improving then turned for the worse. Watered regularly, ample rainfall here in Nashville this summer.

Maxwell Cohn

very difficult to say without a picture. Most likely culprit is sunscald. By planting in the spring, the plant didn't have enough time to establish a good root system before the heat of summer kicked in.

Is it in full sun? This cultivar seems to prefer a bit of a sheltered location. Else, they burn badly in the hot sun, particularly when young.

Could also be fungal, but less likely.

Jones Deborah K

Thank you so much. Is there anything I can do to save it? Move it? or just hang in there & see what happens over winter.

Maxwell Cohn

since it clearly doesn't like it's current location, I'd say move it; just keep in mind that the plant is already stressed and the odds are high that it's not going to make it.

Another option is to dig it, pot it and put it in a very sheltered spot for a few years. I've done that with really rare, irreplaceable stuff that's been attacked by rabbits.

Jones Deborah K

Thanks again, David. I may just plop a big pot in front of it to give it some afternoon shade & see what happens over winter. Now it gets only a couple hrs of early morn shade then hot sun till dusk. Should all conifers be planted in the fall to prevent sunscald? The tag on this plant said full sun. I will be buying more conifers as I’ve become quite fond of them & most say full sun in my Zone 7a.