4. Shanmu or China Fir
(杉木属)
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Cupressaceae
Cunninghamia lanceolata
Specimen Size: 63.7ft tall, 13.7in in diameter.
Location: The northwest corner of Blodel Hall is home to a China-fir, and several other of these species are found tucked away on the south side of Anderson Hall on the east edge of the courtyard.
Historical Background: China-fir has been cultivated in the West since 1804. Due to its insect and rot resistant wood, it is used to make coffins and for many less ghastly roles such as furniture, ship, and temple building. This species is often planted on college campuses and golf courses.
Non-Native
Native Range: China, Laos, Taiwan, Vietnam
Identifying Features: A gorgeously colored redwood cousin, this evergreen coniferous tree features spongy cinnamon bark and broad, flat, 1- to 2.5-inch (2.5- to 6.4-centimeters) needles in sumptuous, curving arrays along stout twigs. This distinctive species is a large-growing, common, important Chinese conifer. China-Fir has been cultivated in the West since 1804. Unlike many evergreens, it can reproduce by suckers from its base. The walnut-sized, prickly cones are firmly attached and fall with the dry, brown, old twigs. Though China-Fir foliage is normally shiny dark green, here you see the matte bluish form.
Identifying Features In Depth:
Form: Pyramidal growth with smooth tapering shape and dropping branches, appearance becoming more ragged as the individual ages.
Leaves: Evergreen with stiff linear and lanceolate needles 1.5” (3 to 7 cm) long with sharp pointed apexes and finely toothed margins. They appear spirally arranged on the branch but the top and bottom sides twist to cause a horizontally pectinate appearance. The top of the needles are a dark green, the bottoms much lighter. Cold winter conditions can tint the foliage with bronze, but these damaged branches will quickly be replaced in the spring.
Bark: The bark is brown and thin and hangs off in long strips. Inner bark is a reddish color.
Reproductive Bodies: Cones are small and globose, armed and often occur in groups. They are 1-2’ (3-5cm) in length with thin scales, green turning to brown when mature and remaining on tree after maturity.
Native range of Cunninghamia lanceolata in south-west China and northern Laos and Vietnam, based on a study by Lu et al. 2014.
Below is the description found for this species on the original Brockman Memorial Tree Tour:
Historical Tree Tour Information: The northwest corner of Blodel Hall is home to several China-firs. A gorgeously colored redwood cousin, this tree features spongy cinnamon bark and broad, flat, 1- to 2.5-inch (2.5- to 6.4-centimeters) needles in sumptuous, curving arrays along stout twigs. This distinctive species is a large-growing, common, important Chinese conifer. China-Fir has been cultivated in the West since 1804. Unlike many evergreens, it can reproduce by suckers from its base. The walnut-sized, prickly cones are firmly attached and fall with the dry, brown, old twigs. Though China-Fir foliage is normally shiny dark green, here you see the matte bluish form.
Cold winter conditions can tint the foliage with bronze, but these damaged branches will quickly be replaced in the spring. China Fir prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils, and is well adapted to urban soils and useful as an ornamental conversation piece because of its unique branch structure. Its wood used to make coffins and for many less ghastly roles such as furniture, ship, and temple building. This species is often planted on college campuses and golf courses.
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