Torreya nucifera, commonly known as Japanese torreya or Kaya, is a slow-growing, evergreen coniferous tree native to the moist, temperate forests of southern Japan and South Korea’s Jeju Island. It typically reaches heights of 49-82 feet (15-25 meters) with a trunk diameter of up to 5 feet (1.5 meters). The tree has a conical form when young, becoming more rounded with age. The needle-like leaves are 1-1.5 inches long, dark green, and have sharply spined tips. The bark is reddish-brown and peels off in strips. It produces small, non-showy male and female cones; the female cones develop into fleshy, olive-like seeds that are green to brown when ripe.

Japanese torreya is valued for its dense, fine-grained wood with a yellow-gold color, which is used in the construction of traditional Go and Shogi game boards. The seeds are edible and considered a delicacy, often served as a snack or used in traditional cuisine. In cultivation, it is used as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks, appreciated for its evergreen foliage and cultural significance. It requires well-drained, acidic to neutral soil and can tolerate partial shade, though it prefers full sun. It is relatively low-maintenance but can be susceptible to fungal diseases if conditions are too damp. Due to its slow growth rate, it is not commonly used for timber outside of specialty items.CC BY-SA 4.0