"Tree of fire'. Chamaecyparis obtusa, the hinoki cypress. "Fire" refers to its colouring. It is regarded as sacred for its use in shrine building. A conical conifer which grows to 20 metres, it has stringy red-brown bark, and bears aromatic dark green scale-like leaves with silver sides and small yellow-brown cones. See also SakakiA Popular Dictionary of Shinto (Brian Bocking)
