Trees grow to spectacular proportions and interesting forms.
Here are some of the trees I've passed.
**These photos are from my personal hikes. Several of these trees you can no longer approach so closely (because of natural damage and because of decades of too many humans like me going to close). Some are in low-traffic areas and have little to worry about at present. Some are fast-growing, or have roots that grow where they won't be bothered. Others grow close to town. And there are even some trees—namely the Sarugawa Gajumaru—you are welcome to climb around.
(Smaller trees can be found in the Plant & Flower Gallery.)
By Family:
- Araliaceae (aralia or ivy family): Kalopanax septemlobus
- Cupressaceae (cypress family): Cryptomeria japonica
- Lythraceae (loosestrife or henna family): Lagerstroemia indica
- Moraceae (fig or mulberry family): Ficus superba, Ficus microcarpa
- Pinaceae (pine family): Abies firma, Tsuga sieboldii
- Theaceae (tea or camelia family): Stewartia monadelpha
- Trochodendraceae: Trochodendron aralioides
Cryptomeria japonica
Japanese: 杉 (Sugi)
Family: Cupressaceae [3]
Bandai Sugi, 1/7/2013, at Mocchomu
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
There is only one species in the cryptomeria genus. The natural range extends across Japan, and you can see it in reforested areas throughout the country. In the mountains of Yakushima, they have a few distinct traits: Due to lack of nutrients and abundant rains, they grow slower, live longer, and have higher resin content. Cryptomerica pollen allergies don't seem to be as much of a problem in Yakushima compared to other regions of Japan.
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
There is only one species in the cryptomeria genus. The natural range extends across Japan, and you can see it in reforested areas throughout the country. In the mountains of Yakushima, they have a few distinct traits: Due to lack of nutrients and abundant rains, they grow slower, live longer, and have higher resin content. Cryptomerica pollen allergies don't seem to be as much of a problem in Yakushima compared to other regions of Japan.
Jumon Sugi
1/4/2013
Ryuujin Sugi
12/20/2012
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Stewartia monadelpha
Japanese: 姫沙羅 (Himeshara)
Family: Theaceae [3]
The Tall Stewartia is one of everybody's favorite trees. The smooth, cool trunks of these trees lure hikers into hugging them, and since they shed their bark constantly (especially during dry spells, such as near the end of winter) to keep other plants from growing on them, they are impressively resiliant to the affection of visitors. Even more beautiful when they glisten in the rain or dawn a white crowns of hoarfrost in the winter, in the extreme conditions of Yakushima wild Tall Stewartias can grow to be hundreds of years old.
1/20/2013, at KuniWari-Dake, photo by Mitsuhashi-san
This tree has fallen over, but it is very much alive! I've had second thoughts about posting this photo, as I certainly would not do this in a country I am unfamiliar with.
This tree has fallen over, but it is very much alive! I've had second thoughts about posting this photo, as I certainly would not do this in a country I am unfamiliar with.
11/18/2012
at Myojo-Dake
2/13/2013
near Moiyo-Dake
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
7/6/2012
at Shiratani-Unsuikyo
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Kalopanax septemlobus
Japanese: ハリギリ (Harigiri)
Family: Araliaceae [3]
1/17/2014, aong the Hanayama Trail
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
This giant among deciduous trees has maple-shaped leaves that are a favorite of deer and turn gold in the fall. At first glance from both Japanese and European eyes, the Kalopanax resembles a Paulownia, but it is not related. Thorny saplings and the sprays of new growth in the spring give away this species as a member of the Araliaceae family.
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
This giant among deciduous trees has maple-shaped leaves that are a favorite of deer and turn gold in the fall. At first glance from both Japanese and European eyes, the Kalopanax resembles a Paulownia, but it is not related. Thorny saplings and the sprays of new growth in the spring give away this species as a member of the Araliaceae family.
5/6/2014
Yodogawa Trail
(thorny juvenile)
5/6/2014
Yodogawa Trail
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Lagerstroemia indica (var)
Japanese: 屋久島サルスベリ (Yakushima sarusuberi)
Family: Lythraceae [3]
12/12/2012, at Hasa-Dake
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
This native crepe myrtle of lower elevation also grows to fantastic proportions. It has white flowers.
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
This native crepe myrtle of lower elevation also grows to fantastic proportions. It has white flowers.
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Abies firma
Japanese:樅 (Momi)
Family: Pinaceae [3]
6/14/2013, near the Onoaida Trail
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
This fir tree is often seen in conifer forests of mid/higher elevations with Tsuga sieboldii They could be called the Christmas trees of Japan.
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
This fir tree is often seen in conifer forests of mid/higher elevations with Tsuga sieboldii They could be called the Christmas trees of Japan.
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Tsuga sieboldii
English: Hemlock
Japanese: 栂 (Tsuga)
Family: Pinaceae [3]
6/6/2014, near the Onoaida Trail
Spectacular spruce-like trees often seen with Abies firma in the mountain forests. I love how the small pine cones act as hygrometers, opening in dry weather and closing when damp. Note that although Tsuga are called hemlocks in English, they are not related to the poisonous shrubs of Europe.
Spectacular spruce-like trees often seen with Abies firma in the mountain forests. I love how the small pine cones act as hygrometers, opening in dry weather and closing when damp. Note that although Tsuga are called hemlocks in English, they are not related to the poisonous shrubs of Europe.
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Trochodendron aralioides
English: Japanese Wheel Tree
Japanese: ヤマグルマ (Yama-guruma)
Family: Trochodendraceae [3]
1/11/2012, at Anbo Mae-Dake
photo by Mitsuhashi-san.
In the forests of Yakushima, Trochodendrons often look as though they are "strangling" other trees as it holds on for support. However, Trochodendrons have been shown to give carbon to Cryptomeria, and it has been theorized that this relationship contributes to the longitivity of Yakusugi trees*.
photo by Mitsuhashi-san.
In the forests of Yakushima, Trochodendrons often look as though they are "strangling" other trees as it holds on for support. However, Trochodendrons have been shown to give carbon to Cryptomeria, and it has been theorized that this relationship contributes to the longitivity of Yakusugi trees*.
* Ishizaki, A. Anma, Y. Akiyoshi, T. (Tamagawa Univ., Machida, Tokyo (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture). Studies on the relationship between Yakusugi strain in Cryptomeria japonica D. Don and Trochodendron aralioides Sieb. et Zucc. by using 32-P and 14-C labelled compounds . 玉川大学農学部研究報告第17号(1977)52-61.
5/21/2014
Yodogawa Trail
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Ficus superba
Japanese: アコウ (Acou)
Family: Moraceae [3]
2/15/2013, at Miyanoura
photo by Mitsuhashi-san.
Larger specimens of this strangler fig species can be seen around the island, often with a trunk that is wrapped by its own aerial roots and arches regally over the main road.
photo by Mitsuhashi-san.
Larger specimens of this strangler fig species can be seen around the island, often with a trunk that is wrapped by its own aerial roots and arches regally over the main road.
2/23/2013
at Moiyo-Dake
photo by Mitsuhashi-san
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Ficus microcarpa
Japanese: ガジュマル (Gajumaru)
Family: Moraceae [3]
3/3/2013, between Anbo and Mugio
"Sarugawa Gajumaru" (The Monkey River Banyan Tree)
There are several large "Chinese Banyan" trees growing around the island. The Banyan Park (paid admission) in Shitoko in the north, Nakama Banyan Tree in the southwest, and the Sarugawa Gajumaru are the most famous.
"Sarugawa Gajumaru" (The Monkey River Banyan Tree)
There are several large "Chinese Banyan" trees growing around the island. The Banyan Park (paid admission) in Shitoko in the north, Nakama Banyan Tree in the southwest, and the Sarugawa Gajumaru are the most famous.
3/17/2013
in Anbo
3/23/2013
in Nakama
Probably the most well known F. microcarpa on the island. There is a driveway through it.
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Sources:
- [1] 新版 屋久島の植物
- 初島住彦監修,2001：南方新社
- [2] 九州野山の花
- 片野田逸朗,2004：南方新社
- [3] Wikipedia