PlantFiles: Cunninghamia, China-fir, China Fir
Cunninghamia lanceolata

China Fir grows well here in south Alabama. They look better in good soil with plenty of moisture, the ones planted in drier soil seem to have some dieback. For a tall slender tree they seem to hold up well to hurricane force winds.

Planted in zone 8, located in southwest part of garden, recieves part shade evening evening. Lemon-Lime in color during spring through summer then becomes bronze in the fall through the winter. Photo of both seasonal colors posted!

Warning: Do not propogate this plant by taking cuttings from side branches. Otherwise your tree will produce no leader and have terrible form. Unfortunately few suppliers realize this and are responsible for distributing some very floppy plants. Best grown from seed, or cuttings taken from upright suckers. "Samurai" is glaucus and the most garden worthy form.

There is also a blue form "Glauca" which is a striking plant with the same drooping but upright appearance of the green form of the species.

This is an attractive specimen plant and always solicits comments from visitors to the garden. The end of its leaf contains a vicious stiff needle point, so warn the children.

It is a slow grower and is susceptible to leaf burn after prolonged hard frost and wind. However, new green growth soon overcomes the resulting brown foliage.