Woody > Torreya > Torreya jackii > Torreya jackii
Torreya jackii
Jack’s Nutmeg Tree
Origin: Native to China.
Mike's
Opinion
"
The Torreya jackii is an interesting looking tree. The thin branches hold a big fruit. The long, glossy, drooping needles add a lot of character to the tree.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Cephalotaxaceae |
| Genus |
| Torreya |
| Species |
| jackii |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 7 - 10 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| Greater than 9a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H2 - H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-10) - 20 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 14 - 68 |
| Height |
| 10 - 12 m |
| Spread |
| 8 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| This species is dioecious and is pollinated by wind. |
| Landscape |
| This species occurs along rivers and steep slopes in China's subtropical regions. In China, they used to use the wood from this tree to make utensils, handicrafts, tools for agricultural use and firewood. It is rare to see this tree in ornamental use. Outside of China this species is restricted to a few botanic gardens and private collections. |
| Cultivation |
| This tree requires some shade near moisture; it does not do well in full sun and wind exposure. It is used to a high degree of humidity. It grows in soils with a pH of 4.2 – 5. |
| Shape |
| Broadly upright or oval shaped, upward angled branches and drooping branchlets. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Drooping branches, long and glossy needles. Big round and green coloured fruit. |
| Pests |
| No notable pests or diseases. |
| Habitat |
| Naturally occurs on acidic, rocky mountains with good access to water. They generally grow in evergreen, broad-leaved forests, because they require a sheltered area and are very shade tolerant. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Bark that is grey in colour and flakes off, exposing the pale brown cortex. The diameter of the trunk is typically 20 cm. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Triangular brown buds. Female cone buds grow near the branchlet tip. Male cone buds grow from the tip of the branchlet, has 5 – 8 alternating pairs of bud scales. |
| Leaf Description |
| The needles are green and turn a greenish brown in the first year. After the first year they turn a reddish-brown colour. They are drooping, glossy, leathery and very fragrant when bruised or burned and grow to be about 10 cm long, 2.5 mm wide. They have a fragile sharp tip and a strongly twisted arrangement. It is in leaf all year around. |
| Flower Description |
| Individual flowers are either male or female. This tree is monoecious, pollinated by wind. Ovule develops into a plum like fruit. |
| Fruit Description |
| Large, green plum like. Fleshy aril enclosing a woody seed. |
| Colour Description |
| For the first year the leaves will be green and transition to a brownish green, following the first year the leaves will turn a reddish brown and remain that colour. The bark is grey and reveals a light brown cortex when it flakes off. |
| Texture Description |
| Bark is rough because of its thick, flakey scales. |
| Propagation |
| Propagation with a cutting would require half ripe shoots in late summer, but cuttings do not grow well. It's ideal to propagate this tree using seeds. It is best sown as soon as the seed is ripe, which is from October to November. Germination should take place the following spring, but could take up to 12 months. Each seedling goes into their own individual pot and is placed in a shady spot in a greenhouse for the next couple of winters. When the tree gets to at least 20cm tall, then it is safe to plant them in their permanent spot in early summer. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| There is a chemical in the leaves and bark that is extracted and used in treating cancer. |
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