Common Name: Chinese Fir

General Information

Cunninghamia lanceolata is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall.
The plant is widely grown as a forestry tree in China and is also often coppiced to produce wood for fuel[]. It is harvested from the wild for medicinal use and is also grown as an ornamental.
Cunninghamia lanceolata is very widely distributed and cultivated throughout southern China and adjacent countries. It is very difficult to distinguish between areas where it is naturalized and areas where it is truly indigenous. Throughout its range there is no evidence of decline, The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southeast China ((Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang).

Habitat

Mixed broad-leaved forests, rocky hillsides and roadsides, 200 - 2800 metres in most temperate areas of China[]. Often forming small, pure stands on red sandstone soils[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cunninghamia lanceolata is native to the warm temperate zone of southeast China[]. It is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to perhaps -15 to -20°c when fully dormant[].
Requires a rich warm soil and a sheltered sunny position[, ]. Dislikes soil with free lime otherwise the pH is unimportant[].
There are trees 25 metres tall in Cornwall and 18 metres tall in Kent[, ]. Young trees can make quite rapid growth in height, up to 60cm a year once they have attained more than 1 metre in height[]. Before reaching the height of 1 metre, however, they are liable to be killed by frost[].
The most important fast-growing timber tree of the warm regions south of the Chang Jiang valley of China[].
Unlike most conifers, this species can be coppiced[].
The bruised foliage emits a delicious resinous aroma[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Antidote, carminative.
A decoction of the wood is used in the treatment of varnish poisoning (from species of Rhus), chronic ulcers, hernia etc[, ].
An essential oil from the plant is used to treat bruises, pain, rheumatism and wounds[].
The ash of the bark is used to treat burns, scalds and wounds[].
A decoction of the cone is used in the treatment of coughs[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This is the main re-afforestation tree in China[, ].

Other Uses

The almost white, fragrant wood is light in weight, soft, durable but rots easily if it is continually wet, easily worked, resists insects damage. Used in construction, ship building etc wherever great strength is required[, , , ]. The wood is strongly resistant to rot, is not eaten by termites, and is easily worked. It is used in constructing buildings, bridges, ships, and lamp posts, in furniture manufacture, and for wood fiber[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse[]. If the seed does not germinate within 8 weeks then 3 weeks cold stratification may speed up the process[]. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 6 months at 18°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[].
Division of suckers[].