The umbrella fir - also known as the Japanese umbrella fir due to its origin - has its name for a reason: the needles of the conical, evergreen tree are grouped in clusters to form small, shiny umbrellas and are therefore very effective not only in Asian-inspired gardens attractive. However, the exotic conifer requires some effort in terms of planting and care.
What are the properties and conditions for an umbrella fir?
The umbrella fir (Sciadopitys verticillata) is a slow-growing, evergreen tree from Japan that thrives in cloud forests. Its soft, shiny green needles form umbrella-like clusters, making it popular in Asian-style gardens. The umbrella fir prefers a sunny to partially shaded, wind-protected location and well-drained, moist soil.
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 pines (bot. Pinales).. Millions of years ago, other umbrella fir species probably existed, which were also widespread in Central Europe and made a significant contribution to the creation of today's brown coal.
However, only the umbrella fir, native to southern Japan, remains. There the species grows in the cloud forests, which are characterized by high rainfall and high humidity, at altitudes usually between 500 and 1000 meters. The very slow-growing trees can get very old and become quite powerful in their homeland with heights of up to 40 meters and trunk diameters of up to three meters.
Since the umbrella fir is one of the five sacred trees in Japan, it can often be found in temple complexes. Nevertheless, the species is considered to be in danger of extinction - and is therefore on the International Red List of Endangered Plants - as faster-growing tree species are preferred for economic reasons in reforestation and new planting.
Usage
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 fir wood for centuries.
In the home garden, however, the eye-catching conifer belongs in a striking, solitary position where it can optimally develop its visual impact. The umbrella fir fits particularly well into Asian-style garden landscapes, where it stands out among flat perennials, grasses or bushes, for example. The Japanese maple in particular, but also rhododendrons and azaleas or the Japanese spindle bush harmonize wonderfully with the magical umbrella fir. Furthermore, it feels very comfortable in gravel or heather gardens, where its shape is most effective. Smaller varieties such as 'Green Ball' or 'Piccola' also thrive in larger planters.
Appearance and growth
The umbrella fir is an evergreen and very slow-growing coniferous tree that grows on average between 20 and 25 centimeters per year. Although the tree can grow up to 40 meters high in its Japanese homeland, even under favorable growing conditions in Central Europe it reaches heights of a maximum of ten to twelve meters. In most cases, however, the local specimens do not grow higher than around six meters. The densely conical crown is up to four meters wide at its widest point but tapers towards the tip. The tree forms one or more trunks and is heavily branched, creating a dense overall appearance. On older trees, the smooth, reddish-brown bark peels off in thin, long strips.
leaves
At the ends of the horizontally protruding branches there are up to ten centimeter 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. There are also scale-shaped, inconspicuous short needles lying flat on the trunk.
Flowers and flowering time
The umbrella fir is a monoecious plant, i.e. 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.
Fruits
The umbrella fir only develops the cones typical of many coniferous trees very late - the upright fruit casings, which are up to eleven centimeters long, can only be seen at the age of 25 years. These are green in the first year, but gradually turn dark brown as they ripen in the second year. Each individual cone can contain up to 150 flat seeds, up to twelve millimeters long and winged.
Toxicity
The umbrella fir is not poisonous and can therefore be safely planted in gardens with playing children or pets.
Which location is suitable?
When it comes to the ideal location, the umbrella fir is quite demanding: the tree feels most comfortable in a sunny to semi-shady place, which, however, should not be hot or too unprotected. The wood, which is used to high humidity, can only tolerate heat and scorching sun if the soil is appropriately moist. Wind, on the other hand, should be avoided, as young specimens in particular react very sensitively 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, as it will quickly become too warm for the tree.
Soil / Substrate
As in its natural habitat, the umbrella fir prefers well-drained, yet moist, nutrient-rich soil in the garden. Ideally, this is sandy and humic, as heavy soils tend to become waterlogged and growth in loamy substrates is very slow - despite its high moisture requirement, the tree cannot tolerate waterlogging and reacts to it with root rot. The umbrella fir also does not like prolonged drought (for example during hot summer days) or calcareous soils and reacts quickly to these conditions with needles that change color. 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 potting soil containing humus.
Planting umbrella fir correctly
You can purchase the Japanese umbrella fir either in pots or in bales. 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 affect the he althy growth of young trees. Bale goods, on the other hand, are best placed in the ground between October and April when the weather is mild. Make sure there is sufficient planting distance right from the start, as umbrella firs can become very tall with age - even if they grow slowly and therefore appear like small bushes at first.
And this is how we plant:
- select a suitable location
- Dig the planting site deeply and loosen the soil
- Provide soil improvement if necessary
- Improve soil, for example with sand, compost and/or peat soil
- Dig planting hole
- this should be twice as deep and wide as the root ball
- Place tree with root ball in a bucket of water
- Allow roots to soak up moisture
- Hold the umbrella fir in the planting hole and fill in soil
- Root ball should be at the same height as the garden soil or level with it
- Press the soil lightly
- water vigorously
The root area should then be provided with a layer of mulch about three to five centimeters thick so that the moisture stays in the soil longer.
How do I transplant correctly?
Since the umbrella fir is a shallow-rooted tree - and therefore does not develop a deep taproot - and also grows very slowly, it can still be planted in later years. However, it is best to carry out 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 so that as few roots as possible are damaged. Then make sure there is plenty of water so that the umbrella fir can grow quickly in its new location.
Watering umbrella fir tree
Never allow the soil to dry out completely, especially in the weeks after planting and during the summer months. Ensure an even water supply, even for planted specimens, but be sure to avoid waterlogging. Since umbrella firs are sensitive to limescale, use collected rain 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 appears dull, that the needles are perhaps turning yellowish (and there are no other reasons behind it), then you can supply the tree with compost soil or a fir fertilizer. The best month for this measure is April, so that the plant can then grow vigorously.read more
Cut umbrella fir correctly
Since the umbrella fir naturally develops an even and dense cone-shaped growth, you should not disturb this with pruning measures. The secateurs or saw can therefore remain in the shed.read more
Propagate umbrella fir trees
Propagate the umbrella fir yourself is not that easy and 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 fruit before then. However, you can purchase germinable seeds from specialist retailers and use them 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 only begins after 100 to 120 days at the earliest - and after another two growth periods, the young plants have usually only reached a height of three to four centimeters.
Cuttings
Growing new young plants from cuttings works a little faster, although the vegetative form of propagation is not always successful. To do this, cut half-ripe shoots about ten centimeters long in June or July and grow them in a propagation box under foil or another cover.
Wintering
In the right location, the umbrella fir is hardy and therefore does not need any additional protection. Only young trees are very sensitive, especially to late frosts that occur in spring, and should be protected from this 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 can usually be traced back 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. Many causes can be responsible for the needle discoloration:
- drought
- strong sunlight (especially around midday)
- Nutrient deficiency, often nitrogen
- Potassium deficiency common on sandy soils
- Soil is calcareous or clayey
- Over-fertilization (then the needles are often dropped / baldness occurs)
Almost all causes can be remedied by moving the tree or replacing the potting soil. It will then recover and sprout green needles.
Tip
The winter hardiness of a young umbrella fir can be improved by adding Epsom s alt.
Species and varieties
There is only one type of umbrella fir, but there are now several tried and tested 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, becomes slightly taller after ten years at around 100 centimeters
- 'Koja-Maki': conical growth, reaches a height of up to three meters
- ‘Shooting Star’: slender but extremely slow growth, only about 250 centimeters high after 25 years
