Cunninghamia lanceolata

China fir is an evergreen conifer that is native to forested areas of China and Taiwan where it may reach 150 in height. In cultivation, it more typically grows to 35-70 tall with a pyramidal form and tiered, spreading, horizontal branching that is slightly pendulous at the tips. It tends to sucker and often grows in a multi-trunked form. Sharply-pointed, finely-toothed, green to blue-green needles (to 2.75î long) are spirally arranged but twisted at the base to give the appearance of being two-ranked. Foliage may bronze in cold winters. Oval to globose fruiting cones (1.5î diameter) appear ... more »

China fir is an evergreen conifer that is native to forested areas of China and Taiwan where it may reach 150 in height. In cultivation, it more typically grows to 35-70 tall with a pyramidal form and tiered, spreading, horizontal branching that is slightly pendulous at the tips. It tends to sucker and often grows in a multi-trunked form. Sharply-pointed, finely-toothed, green to blue-green needles (to 2.75î long) are spirally arranged but twisted at the base to give the appearance of being two-ranked. Foliage may bronze in cold winters. Oval to globose fruiting cones (1.5î diameter) appear in small groups (1-3) at the shoot ends. Brown bark of mature trees exfoliates in strips to reveal reddish-brown inner bark. This is a prized timber tree in China. Genus name honors James Cunningham, a British doctor who collected this species in 1701-2. (less)