UMBRELLA PINE

also called Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata), coniferous evergreen tree native to Japan, the only member of the genus Sciadopitys of the deciduous cypress family (Taxodiaceae). Although slow growing, it may reach a height of 36 m (116 feet), with a trunk diameter of 1.2 m (4 feet). The short branches are arranged in circles about the trunk. The small, scalelike leaves are less than 6 mm (0.2 inch) long and adhere closely to the bark. Modified shoots assuming the form and function of leaves occur in umbrella-like whorls of 15 to 35 at the tips of the twigs. Several varieties of the umbrella pine are cultivated as ornamentals. Its wood is used in making boats; its bark, in the form of oakum, is used for caulking.