Common Name:

General Information

Tsuga forrestii is an evergreen tree with a pyramidal crown; it usually grows up to 30 metres tall, but can reach 50 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 160cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild on a commercial basis as a source of lumber. It also provides a range of other materials. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Although there is no direct information available, it seems reasonable given what has happened in this part of China to suspect a 30-49% population reduction in the past three generations (60-75 years) as a result of direct exploitation of the species for its wood and also because of general forest clearance for timber and expanding agriculture. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southwest China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou)

Habitat

Mountains, valleys, mixed forests; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Like the other two species occurring on the SW Plateau of China, Tsuga forrestii is a high mountain species occurring at elevations between 2,000 - 3,500 metres. The soils are mostly podzolized. The climate is temperate to cold temperate, with annual precipitation ranging from 1,000 - 2,000mm[].
A plant of cool, shady mountainsides, where it is usually found on mildly to strongly acid soils, in lowland areas it requires a cool, sheltered microclimate, such as a damp, clay hollow that is moderately well drained[].
Young trees can tolerate considerable shade and dislike full sunlight. They become more tolerant of sun as the grow taller.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannin[].

A resin is obtained from the trunk[].

Essential oils are obtained from the roots, trunk, and branches[].

The timber is used for construction, aircraft, furniture, and in mines[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it germinates better if given a short cold stratification[, ] and so is best sown in a cold frame in autumn to late winter. It can also be sown in early spring, though it might not germinate until after the next winter. If there is sufficient seed, an outdoor sowing can be made in spring[]. Pot-grown seedlings are best potted up into individual pots once they are large enough to handle - grow them on in a cold frame and plant them out in early summer of the following year. Trees transplant well when they are up to 80cm tall, but they are best put in their final positions when they are about 30 - 45 cm or less tall, this is usually when they are about 5 - 8 years old[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].