## 1 Introduction  
Numerous plant-derived essential oils (EOs), due to their valuable odoriferous and bioactivity properties, and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, have applications in many fields, such as aromatherapy, cosmetic, cosmeceutical, food, beverage, household, pharmaceutical, phytomedicine and pest control. However, the bioactivity and potential commercial use of EOs depends on their complex mixture of organic compounds, produced through the secondary metabolic pathways of aromatic plants [1, 2, 3, 4], such as the conifer Cupressaceae family [4]. Cryptomeria japonica_ (Thunb. ex L.f.) D. Don (Cupressaceae), commonly called a Japanese cedcar or _sugi_, is a forest tree endemic to Japan, and widely distributed in warm and cool temperate climates. _Cryptomeria_ is a monotypic genus that includes only one species with two recognized varieties: _C. japonica_ var. _japonica_ and _C. japonica_ var. _sinensis_, the latter being native to China [5]. _C. japonica_ is a very large, conical, evergreen monoecious tree that can reach up to 70 m (230 ft) in height with a trunk diameter of up to 4 m (13 ft). It is a fast growth tree that prefers moist, deep and well-drained soils [6]. The bark is reddish-brown, fibrous and peels off in vertical strips. The leaves are odorous due to the presence of EO and are 0.5-1 cm (0.20-0.39 in) long and needle-like in structure. The seed cones are globular up to 1-2 cm (0.39-0.79 in) in diameter with about 20-40 scales [7]. _C. japonica_ is one of the main plantation forest tree species in Asian countries (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India and China) and in the Azores Archipelago (Portugal). In Azores, forests account for 31% of the land area, where _C. japonica_ occupies over 12,698 hectares and is the most commercially important tree species. It was introduced in Azores in the mid-19 th century, where it developed very well due the similar pedological and climatic conditions to those of its original country. In Azores, _C. japonica_ is often planted around farms to create shelter lines, which increase pasture productivity by creating favorable microclimates for crop and livestock [8]. The pollen of _C. japonica_ causes polinosis/hay fever, which is a serious health problem in Japan. Male-sterile _C. japonica_ populations that release no pollen have recently gained interest as a potential measure to fight this problem [9]. The wood (heartwood) of _C. japonica_ has different colors, including red, yellow and black, that also determines its economic value. This wood is traditionally used in house building and pulping, due to its \"unique\" characteristics, which include pleasant aroma, excellent durability, decay resistance and insect repellency properties [10; 11; 12; 13]. Owing to the high industrial importance of _C. japonica_, their leaves, bark, twigs and sawdust are currently waste/by-products of worldwide wood processing. However, this large unused biomass could be converted into useful natural resources of bioactive compounds, such as EOs, in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner with zero competition for land areas. In fact, the production of plant-derived EOs has increased tremendously over the last few decades due the strong demand for natural products, which are less hazardous to the public health and environment than their synthetic equivalents [1; 3; 4; 14]. Particularly, botanical pesticides, including EOs-based pesticides [3], are gaining popularity namely in organic farming, due to their efficiency, availability, safety, inexpensiveness, easily biodegradation (non-pollutant) and low toxicity to non-target organisms [15]. Therefore, they are suitable alternatives in crop pest management and in sustainable agriculture. Botanical pesticides could also be used in rotation with synthetic pesticides in order to minimize crop pest resistance [16; 17].