Common Name:

General Information

Fokienia hodginsii is an evergreen tree with a broadly pyramidal crown becoming rounded and dense in old trees; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight trunk can be up to 100cm in diameter[].
The tree produces a good quality, durable timber that is much valued for construction. It is logged in most of the areas where it occurs naturally, though its slow growth makes it difficult to exploit economically in plantation forestry[].
Fokienia hodginsii population levels have probably reduced by 30 - 50% over the past three generations (300 years) and there is a severe fragmentation of the popualtion. Declines are continuing in large parts of its range despite enforcement measures now in place in China and Viet Nam. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China to northern Laos and northern Vietnam

Habitat

A minor constituent of subtropical to warm temperate evergreen (mixed) mesophytic forest; growing at elevations from 350 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Fokienia hodginsii is native of warm temperate and subtropical forests in southern China and Indochina where winters are generally mild .It is found in areas where the mean annual precipitation is 1,200 mm or more[].
The plant is found wild in acidic (with a pHof 5 - 6), yellow or brown loamy sands over sandstone, shales, granite, or rhyolite and well drained[].
This conifer is cultivated in cemeteries and parks in China, but is rare elsewhere despite its relative hardiness and suitability in parts of the world with similar climates such as New Zealand, Atlantic SW Europe, northern California and Oregon and southern Japan[].
Fokienia has recently been used for climatic studies aimed at improving our understanding of past variability in the SE Asian monsoon and El Nino events. Its great longevity (ca. 1,500 years at least) and sensitivity to moisture makes it an ideal candidate for such studies[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

In southern China and in Viet Nam the rot resistant and even-grained wood is prized for doors, window frames, and carved panels, as well as furniture. In remote regions pit-sawn timbers are often transported off the mountains by manpower to fetch high prizes with carpenters in the towns[].

Propagation

Seed -