The genus Toona is composed of only a few species, but phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation are responsible for much of the taxonomic complexity reflected in the literature. The species exhibit a phenomenal range of morphological variation, both within and between trees of the same population, and many of the features used by earlier authors to define their taxa have proved to be only slight morphological variants[].

Common Name: Chinese Cedar

General Information

Toona sinensis is a deciduous tree growing up to 40 metres tall, though is rather smaller in cooler parts of its range. The bole can be up to 150cm in diameter and unbranched for up to 20 metres[, ]. The bole is usually buttressed[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It has been widely exploited for its valuable timber, and can also be used as an insecticide. It is sometimes cultivated in China for its edible leaves[], and is planted in India and Sri Lanka to provide shade, and also in various European cities (e.g., Paris) as an ornamental[]. The timbers of Toona species are highly prized but now generally scarce through excessive logging activities throughout their distributional ranges[].
Toona sinensis is a large tree species. It is native to much of East and Southeast Asia but little is known
about the species population size and density. The species is used for timber but this has not been
identified as a major threat to the species. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, northern India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Primary montane forests, especially on steep hillsides or open slopes, sometimes near streams; also occurring in ravines, mixed or secondary forests, disturbed areas; at elevations from 100 - 2,900 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

When fully dormant, Toona sinensis is hardy to about -25°c[], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. This is generally an upland species in the tropics but also occurs at lower elevations in China. The tree is usually found at elevations from 100 - 2,900 metres[, ].
Thrives in most fertile well-drained soils in a sunny position[]. Prefers a rich loamy soil[], growing well on calcareous soils[]. Young trees require some protection from direct sun, but become more light demanding as they grow older[].
The tree is fast growing[] and is said to resist all insects and diseases[]. It is also long-lived[].
A very ornamental tree[], the flowers diffuse a powerfully rich scent[]. The tree is cultivated in eastern Asia for its edible leaves[, ].

Edible Uses

Young shoots and leaves - cooked[, , , ]. This is a highly esteemed food in China[], it is said to resemble onions in flavour and is usually boiled. Rich in vitamin A, the leaves also contain about 6% protein, 1% fat, 6.6% carbohydrate, 1.5% ash[].

The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[].

Fruit[, ] . No further details are given.

Medicinal

The bark is astringent, carminative, depurative, febrifuge, ophthalmic and styptic[, , , ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, flatulence, bloody stools, seminal emissions, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia and gonorrhoea[].

The powdered root is used as a refreshment and a diuretic[, ].

The tender leaves are carminative[, ].

Other Uses

The wood is delicately scented and is burnt in temples as an incense[].

Extracts from the bark, heartwood and leaves apparently have insecticidal qualities[].

The sapwood is cream-coloured to red, fibrous, smelling strongly of garlic and pepper when cut[, ]. The wood is very durable, easily worked, takes a good polish. It is a very valuable timber, resembling mahogany, and is used for making furniture, window frames etc and also in bridge construction[, , ].

We have no more specific information on the timber of this species. The following is a general description for the wood of this genus:-
The heartwood is a light brick red when first exposed, aging to a rich reddish brown; it is clearly demarcated from the pinkish, greyish white, or yellow brown sapwood[]. The texture is rather coarse and uneven; lustrous; grain generally straight to somewhat interlocked; fragrant cedary odour, pronounced when fresh, characteristic acrid taste[]. The wood works well, though there is some gumming of cutters; it dresses smoothly; easy to nail, screw, and glue. The heartwood is moderately durable but vulnerable to termite and borer attack[]. It is used for joinery, furniture and cabinetwork, decorative veneers, racing boats, musical instruments, and patternmaking[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Stored seed germinates better if given a 3 month cold stratification[]. When 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 in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold in their first winter outdoors.
Root cuttings, 4 - 5cm long, taken in December and potted up horizontally in pots in a greenhouse[].