cedar, cryptomeria
杉 centers on a specific tall evergreen tree: the Japanese cedar, or cryptomeria. The meaning is concrete and botanical, without abstract extensions.
杉 combines 木 (tree) with 彡, which likely represents the fine, hair-like needles or drooping branches of the cryptomeria tree.
The tree 木 on the left is decorated with three fine strokes 彡 on the right, like the soft, needle-like foliage of a cedar.
For サン, imagine the sun (サン) shining through the tall cedar branches: sun -> サン, and the tree stands in the light.
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
small cedar
too; extremely; so; super
door made of cedar
cryptomeria forest
weeping cedar
redwood
Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara); deodar
Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani); cedar of Lebanon; Turkish cedar; Taurus cedar
solitary Japanese cedar
coppicing-like technique used with cedar trees
bank haircup moss (Polytrichastrum formosum)
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)
Yakushima cedar (esp. one over 1000 years old)
sugi spider mite (Oligonychus hondoensis)
avenue of cedars (cryptomeria)
sugihara paper; variety of traditional Japanese paper similar to hosho paper, but slightly thinner and softer
thicket of cedar trees
cryptomeria hedge
angel wing mushroom (Pleurocybella porrigens)