“A society grows great when citizens plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”
— Greek proverbWelcome back from the playa! If you’re here, hopefully you picked up one of the small seed envelopes from Zander or the Man Build team at Burning Man 2026. These are Cryptomeria Japonica pine tree seeds and commemorate the Cryptomeria Man Base. The Japanese Cedar is one of the most ancient and enduring trees on Earth. This page has everything you need to give yours the best chance of growing.
About Cryptomeria Japonica
Cryptomeria japonica, commonly known as Japanese Cedar or Sugi (杉), is Japan’s national tree and one of the most important timber species in Asia. Despite its common name, it is not a true cedar but belongs to the cypress family Cupressaceae. Native to Japan and parts of China, it grows in dense, towering forests — often reaching 50–70 meters in height — with distinctive reddish-brown fibrous bark and soft, awl-shaped foliage that turns slightly bronze in winter.
Cryptomeria has been cultivated in Japan for over a thousand years, planted around temples, shrines, and mountain paths. The famous avenue of Cryptomeria lining the road to Nikkō Tōshō-gū is over 400 years old and stretches nearly 40 kilometers. The species is remarkably adaptable, growing well in temperate climates worldwide, and has become a popular ornamental and bonsai tree well outside Asia.
foliage & seed cones
The Jōmon Sugi — A Living Monument
The most celebrated Cryptomeria on Earth is the Jōmon Sugi (縄文杉), a massive ancient tree growing in the mountains of Yakushima Island, Japan. Estimated to be between 2,170 and 7,200 years old — with some researchers placing it as one of the oldest living trees on the planet — it stands over 25 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 16.4 meters. The name “Jōmon” refers to Japan’s prehistoric Jōmon period (roughly 14,000–300 BCE), suggesting the tree may have been alive since before Japanese civilization began.
Yakushima Island, where the Jōmon Sugi grows, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its ancient cedar forests shrouded in mist and moss. The tree has become a symbol of deep time, resilience, and ecological continuity — embodying the same long-term spirit that inspired the Cryptomeria Man Base.
Yakushima Island, Japan
How to Germinate Your Seeds
Your seeds came from the Cryptomeria Man Base envelope — follow these 8 steps and you should see seedlings emerge within 2–8 weeks of sowing.
Step 1 — Remove Seeds from Envelope
- Carefully open the seed envelope and remove the seeds.
Step 2 — Soak
- Place seeds in a dish of clean, room-temperature water and soak for 24 hours to rehydrate the seed coat.
- Optional scarification: Lightly rub seeds against fine-grit sandpaper (100–200 grit) to wear down the outer hull and speed up germination.
Step 3 — Cold Stratify
- Place soaked seeds in a moist medium — damp paper towel or sand — inside a sealed zip-lock bag.
- Refrigerate at 1–5°C (34–41°F) for 30–60 days.
- Check weekly to ensure the medium stays moist and no mold is developing.
Step 4 — Prepare Sowing Tray
- Fill a seed tray or small pot with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix — or bonsai soil incorporating peat, sand, or perlite.
- Moisten the soil thoroughly before sowing.
Step 5 — Sow Seeds
- Remove seeds from the refrigerator and surface-sow on top of the soil, pressing in very gently. Do not bury deeply — they need light to germinate.
- Cover with a very thin layer (1–2 mm) of fine sand or vermiculite.
Step 6 — Keep Moist & Warm
- Cover the tray with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to retain moisture.
- Keep at a consistent 18–22°C (64–72°F) in bright, indirect light.
- Mist gently to keep soil consistently moist — never waterlogged.
Step 7 — Germination
- Germination typically occurs in 2–8 weeks — be patient, it can take longer.
- Keep soil consistently moist throughout.
- Once seedlings emerge, gradually increase ventilation by slowly opening dome vents or removing the cover over several days.
Step 8 — Plant in the Ground
- When seedlings are 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall and all danger of frost has passed, they’re ready to plant outside.
- These trees favor acidic well-draining soils and plenty of sunshine (can have partial shade).
- Water regularly until established.
Watch: Growing a Cryptomeria
Seeds distributed at Burning Man 2026 to commemorate the Cryptomeria Man Base by Alexander Rose.