Trees
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Torulosa'
Torulosa Hinoki cypress
Torulosa has twisting, cord-like foliage that gives this Hinoki cypress an unusually sculptural texture. Its dark green growth forms an upright plant with some spread, suitable as a distinctive specimen or a background for lighter foliage. Unlike very slow miniature Hinokis, it can become a substantial shrub within a decade.
At a glance
- Sun
- Full sun
- Size
- Height: 6–8 ft at 10 years; not ultimate size · Width: 5–7 ft at 10 years
- Water
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Hardiness
- USDA zone 4 minimum
Sizes & prices
- 5$89.99
Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.
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Landscape use & tree form
- Form
- Upright and spreading
- Use
- Background specimen; screening
- Growth rate
- 4–6 inches/year (grower estimate)
Resistance & tolerances
- Deer
- Protect from browsing where deer pressure is high; do not rely on this plant as a deer-proof screen.
- Drought
- The parent species has moderate drought tolerance after establishment; maintain moisture while young.
- Wet soil
- Moist soil with good drainage; do not treat as a standing-water plant.
Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.
Seasonal interest
- Foliage
- Evergreen; dark green
- Cones
- Small orange-brown cones; species guidance.
Growing & care
- Site
- Shelter from strong winds; drainage is important for root health.
- Pruning
- Usually little pruning is needed. If shaping is necessary, prune in early spring to a leafy side shoot; avoid cutting into bare old wood.
- Soil
- Moist, fertile, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogged ground.
- Issues
- Watch for bagworms and branch blight; poor drainage favors root rot.
Sources & photo credits
University of Minnesota Extension
Photo: F. D. Richards / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0; resized for web. · CC BY-SA 2.0
Image notes: Torulosa Hinoki cypress. Photo: F. D. Richards / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0; resized for web.
Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.