Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.

China Fir; Chinese Fir

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

China Fir is an introduced large evergreen tree in the Cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is native to China, Laos, and Vietnam. It is occasionally cultivated and persists or escapes locally throughout Alabama. China Fir is an evergreen tree reaching 160 feet in height. It has a pyramidal growth form and tiered, pendulous branches. It often suckers from the base forming multi-trunked specimens. The bark is thin, dark gray to dark reddish brown in color, and fissured. The flattened needle leaves are linear-lanceolate in outline, sharply-pointed, finely-toothed, and green to blue-green in color. They are spirally arranged but twisted at the base to give the appearance of being two-ranked. The bases of the leaves are decurrent, and the lower surface of the leaf often has rows of white stomatal bands. The dead leaves may remain attached for years, and entire short branches are shed as a unit. China Fir is monoecious, producing pollen and seed cones on the same tree. Pollen cones occur in terminal fascicles. The seed cones are ovoid or sub-globose and terminal. The seed is winged. China Fir is an important timber tree in China. It is prized for its aromatic, soft, rot and termite resistant wood. China Fir is sometimes available from nurseries. It prefers a moist, acidic, well-drained soil in full sun. Cultivars with highly glaucous “blue” foliage are available. China Fir can also be propagated from seed, cuttings, and suckers.—A. Diamond

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Not Native

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