Japanese umbrella pine also known as Sciadopitys verticillata. It is a rare and endearing species of conifer. It is a living fossil that has existed for more than 230 million years. The native range of the Japanese Umbrella Pine, which is now only found on three Japanese islands, once stretched from Asia and Europe to North America. This was before the continents were united. Despite being a revered tree in Japan, overharvesting for shipbuilding has caused the native stands to be classified as "near threatened." Sciadopitys is now a highly sought-after exotic conifer that has been planted in public gardens, arboreta, universities, and cemeteries all over Europe and the US. Attractive Sciadopitys cultivars in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes have been developed. CHARACTERSTICS OF SCIADOPITY In contrast to its natural habitat where it can reach a height of 90', the Umbrella Pine rarely grows taller than 50' when grown in a controlled environment. Due to how slowly...