Woody > Taiwania > Taiwania cryptomerioides > Taiwania cryptomerioides
Taiwania cryptomerioides
Coffin Tree, Chinese cedar, Taiwania
Origin: Native to Taiwan, Southern China, and Northern Vietnam.
| Family |
| Cupressaceae |
| Genus |
| Taiwania |
| Species |
| cryptomerioides |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 7 - 10 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 7b - 9a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H5 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-10) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 14 |
| Height |
| 50 - 70 m |
| Spread |
| 8 - 15 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Tall trees like Taiwania provide sturdy wood that is useful for building boats and furniture. It helps maintain a healthy ecosystem by preventing soil erosion and gives animals homes and food. It is a vital component of forests and ecosystems due to its gigantic presence and priceless wood. |
| Landscape |
| Chinese cedar can be used in parks and urban landscapes because of its eye-catching appearance and ability to provide shade. Additionally, it is essential to landscape restoration initiatives because it helps restore damaged ecosystems and reintroduce native species. Its thick foliage serves as a habitat provider, giving different wildlife species a place to hide out and build their nests, which promotes urban biodiversity. Its commercial uses also go beyond the production of lumber; in both residential and commercial settings, it is used for privacy screens and windbreaks. |
| Cultivation |
| Chinese cedar prefers loamy textures that hold moisture without becoming waterlogged. It grows best in well-drained, fertile soils with a pH between slightly acidic and neutral. It can withstand some shade, especially in hotter climates, but it thrives in areas with full sun to partial shade exposure. Even though it can thrive in a variety of climates, in its early growth stages it might need protection from intense heat or cold. Although Chinese cedar can tolerate some urban conditions, it may be vulnerable to stressors like pollution and drought, so in an urban environment, it needs to be properly maintained and cared for. |
| Shape |
| In its juvenile state, Taiwania cryptomerioides usually has an upright, conical to pyramidal form with dense, ascending branches. The tree usually retains its distinctive upright growth habit throughout its life, though as it ages, it may take on a more rounded or uneven crown shape. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Chinese cedar can be identified by its needle-like leaves, conical crown, and peeling bark. Its dense foliage and symmetrical shape make it a recognizable tree in both urban and natural environments. |
| Pests |
| The Taiwania tree can occasionally be attacked by fungi that cause leaf spot and root rot, as well as pests like aphids and cedar bark beetles. Still, especially in healthy trees, these problems are usually localized and not very serious. Adequate maintenance, such as consistent observation and suitable cultural customs, can aid in the avoidance and efficient handling of pest and illness issues. In general, Chinese cedars require little upkeep in landscape environments due to their inherent resilience. |
| Habitat |
| Taiwania cryptomerioides, the Chinese cedar, grows best in moist, well-drained soils and is generally found in East Asian mountainous regions. It typically grows between 600-2,700 m above sea level in mixed evergreen and broadleaf forests. In its natural environment, Chinese cedar, which frequently grows next to rivers, in ravines, and on mountain slopes, enhances the biodiversity of forest ecosystems. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| As Taiwania cryptomerioides ages, its bark experiences noticeable changes. The bark of young trees is normally smooth and reddish-brown, but it eventually cracks and becomes longitudinal furrows that run deep into the plate. As the bark ages, it may turn greyish-brown or black in colour, and the plates may get thicker and more pronounced, barking a rugged, eye-catching appearance. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Chinese cedar buds are small, pointed at the tips, and ovoid or conical in shape. They have closely overlapped imbricate scales covering them to shield the fragile embryonic tissues inside. The bud scales are typically 0.5-1 cm long and are typically brown or reddish-brown, blending in with the branch's overall colour. The potential for the growth of the following season in the form of embryonic leaves and stems is contained in these buds, which are arranged alternately along the branches. |
| Leaf Description |
| Taiwania cryptomerioides have simple, scale-like leaves that are grouped in opposing pairs along the branches. These flattened leaves have a linear to lanceolate shape and typically measure 5-10 mm in length. Their glossy appearance and deep green colour add to the tree's luxuriant foliage. Chinese cedar leaves are adapted to retain moisture and withstand environmental stresses; they have entire margins and little venation. |
| Flower Description |
| Chinese cedar bears tiny, barely noticeable flowers grouped in panicles or terminal clusters on the same tree. Every flower is roughly 5 mm in diameter and has a straightforward greenish-yellow hue. Chinese cedar flowers are wind-pollinated, with male flowers bearing stamens and female flowers containing ovules inside ovarian structures. The flowers lack showy petals or sepals. |
| Fruit Description |
| The female flowers of the Chinese cedar give rise to woody cones, which are the fruit. These cones have rounded tips and an ovoid to cylindrical shape. They are usually small to medium-sized, with a length of 3-5 cm. The cones are green at first, turning brown as they ripen, then turning woody and releasing seeds with wings when fully developed. Cones are grouped on the branches and arranged in terminal positions. They have many woody scales inside, and each one has two winged seeds that need to be dispersed. |
| Colour Description |
| The tree's various sections showcase a vibrant variety of colours. Its foliage is evergreen, keeping a deep green colour all year long to create a striking background for the landscape. As it ages, the smooth, reddish-brown bark changes to a rugged, greyish-brown, or blackish colour, which adds texture and interest. Subtle greenish-yellow accents are added by the inconspicuous flowers during their spring and early summer bloom, while the fruit, which begins green and eventually turns brown, contrasts with the green foliage. All of these colour characteristics add to the tree's overall charm and allure in different settings. |
| Texture Description |
| Generally consistent texture. |
| Notable Specimens |
| A specific specimen of Taiwania cryptomerioides can be observed at the National Taiwan University Botanical Garden in Taipei City, Taiwan. |
| Propagation |
| The main method for propagating Taiwania cryptomerioides is through seeds, which are harvested in the fall when fully ripe. Although scarification is not required, soaking the seeds in water for a full day prior to sowing can increase the rate of germination. As an alternative, to mimic winter conditions, seeds can be stratified for 30 to 60 days before sowing in moist sand or peat moss at 3-5°C (37-41°F). Under ideal circumstances, germination usually takes place in 3–4 weeks. Although it is less common, propagation from cuttings is a possibility. It entails taking hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or early autumn and providing the right conditions for rooting. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| The Taiwania tree, also known commonly as the "coffin tree", earned its nickname due to its towering height and straight trunk, qualities that historically made it a desirable timber for crafting coffins. The strength and endurance of the coffin tree's wood were highly valued in traditional cultures, where it was thought to offer protection and longevity in the afterlife. Even though the tree's historical and cultural associations with making coffins still exist, its main applications today are in ecological restoration, ornamental planting, and conservation. However, the moniker acts as a reminder of the tree's deep cultural significance and enduring legacy in historical and present contexts. |
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