Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) — an evergreen tree of the family of cypress height of 50-60 meters with a narrow-pyramidal crown. Its curved three-or four-sided needles in the summer has a dark green, yellow in winter. Single ball-shaped lumps with a diameter of up to three cm mature within one year after the eruption of seeds long remain on the tree, informs «Pacific Russia».

In the wild cedar is common in Japan and China. Its Japanese name — sugi; It is gradually replacing the old name «Japanese cedar,» which is erroneous, because the plant belongs to the genus Taxodiaceae. As a national symbol of Japan and the sacred temple tree, sugi recorded in the State Register of especially important cultural values ​​of the country.

The highest and old cryptomerias grow on the island of Yakushima. Even 30 years ago, they are actively cut down there. But when the forest is low, the Japanese decided that the fee for the millennial view of the trees can be much more profitable than selling firewood. The popular island forests — Siratani and Yaku-sugi Land — was chosen a few dozen of the oldest trees. Among them — the famous throughout Japan Jomon-sugi (Jōmon Sugi), which means «cedar Jomon era», whose age is 7200 years. The tree became a symbol of the island of Yakushima, and in 1993 it was included in UNESCO’s list of attractions. Jomon-sugi annually visited by more than 300 thousand Japanese tourists.

In Europe, the cedar is cultivated as an ornamental park tree. In Russia its cultural forms can be found in parks and gardens on the Black Sea coast, to the arboretum; the Caucasus cedar used to create windbreaks in the tea and citrus plantations.

In 1980, the Kuril Islands Kunashir was found one fruit trees cryptomerias. Apparently, it was the result of introductions (intentional or accidental displacement of individuals of any species outside the natural range). Subsequent long-term field studies have not revealed other instances of plants on the island. Believing it expedient to preserve cedar on Kunashir, in the nature reserve «Kuril» started the program for its cultivation.

To do this with a single tree on the island were selected and planted in the winter indoors for germination seeds and cuttings. Spring sprouts are planted in open ground for further rearing.