How would you describe the Crytomeria for a back yard ...

I pass an evergreen on my walk every day that a neighbor has identified as a Crytomeria. (Japanese Cedar) It has the most delicate, needles, (leaves) positioned with even growing branches, etc.

Are they hard to grow? I don't have a tree in my yard. I want at least one variety of evergreen.

Karin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have one and it does fine. Planted above the ground equally as below.
The shape changes some as it ages. When it gets stressed (too wet or too dry) the needles will brown.

If you like the shape you may want to look at a black dragon cedar -it is gorgeous. Slow growing, wonderful form, Not as tall growing as the other.

If you will go to this site and then double click on the photo, you can see a close up of the black dragon's needles and cones.


http://smallplants.com/images/Cryptomeria%20japonica%20Black%20Dragon%202%20copy.jpg

Yes, the black dragon cedar's close-up shows nicely. The specimen that you have is gorgeous. Would you happen to know a nursery that I could buy one or the other?

Karin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

kARIN
We got ours at Kiefer Landscaping in Durham. Both specimens are from Kiefer.
The black dragon is so beautiful --dark dark black / green needles with bright green new growth.. it is shorter in comparison to the other when fully grown. So, if you need a tall tree, the dragon may not be right for you. I think it only goes to about 12 feet. It is slow growing. A large specimen of the dragon may be costly. I mentioned the dragon to you because in your post I got the impression that you liked the layers to be more distinct / separate on the tree. It has been my experience that the older first tree gets (like the one in your neighborhood and the one in my photo) the less distinct the layers are..they sort of blur together. Still beautiful however. There are quite a few cedar trees to choose from. Maybe you could speak with a locale nursery about your needs/ and preferences for appearance and find one that suits. The dragon prefers sun but can take part shade. Both are not hard to find, and I am sure a nursery in Charlotte can locate for you. You may want to wait for fall for the order/planting. Hope this helps and not more info that you need!