Arakawa

Character & interest

The main appeal is the bark: it gradually becomes bumpy, fissured and corky, with a very expressive look on mature wood. The foliage remains classic, naturally highlighting the trunk.

Colours

• Spring : fresh green.

• Summer : rich green.

• Autumn : golden yellow to orange-red (depending on exposure and the season).

Habit & vigour

Upright habit, good vigor. The bark often takes a few years to develop its relief (often from 3–5 years on maturing wood).

Indicative size

Typical range: 3 to 4 m over about ten years, then a small tree that can reach 6 to 8 m in the long term (variable with conditions and training).

Exposure

Tolerates full sun in most regions, but the best compromise is often gentle sun / bright partial shade, with protection from harsh afternoon sun in hot situations.

Origin & history

A Japanese name: “Arakawa” means “rough bark”, a direct reference to its highly textured trunk.