Perennials, Woody > Fokienia > Fokienia hodginsii > Fokienia hodginsii
Fokienia hodginsii
Fokienia
Origin: Native to China, Laos, and Vietnam.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Fokienia hodginsii is a popular ornamental tree from Southeast Asia. This tree gets recognized for its dark green foliage that almost appears as big needles until you realize it’s a spiralling scale leaf that looks very unique. Fokienia hodginsii is a moderate growing evergreen that will usually grow up to about 20 meters in height, and 8 meters in width, with long slightly pendulous branches. The tree is made up of dark green scale foliage. This tree is also very tolerant of compacted soils and poor air conditions.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Cupressaceae |
| Genus |
| Fokienia |
| Species |
| hodginsii |
| Category |
| Perennials, Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| Synonyms |
| Chamaecyparis hodginsii |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 7 - 10 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 8b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| 6.7 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 44 |
| Height |
| 20 m |
| Spread |
| 8 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Relatively tall growing evergreen with thin pointing scale foliage. This tree will reach roughly 20 meters in height and 8 meters in width. It is pretty low maintenance and a unique tree in the landscape. A relatively tolerant and hardy plant except for in cooler climates. |
| Landscape |
| The dense foliage makes F. hodginsii a great wind breaker in landscapes. Due to its nice pyramidal shape, it does well in open landscapes like golf courses, parks, and fields. This tree will also do well in developed areas due to its ability to compete in compacted soils and poor air conditions. |
| Cultivation |
| Due to this plant being native to Southeast Asia, it does prefer warm and humid conditions and is only slightly cold tolerant; it is not frost tolerant at all. Will prefer partial shade to full sun, in a well-drained acidic soil. Watering should be relatively frequent but drought will not have a huge effect on the plant. Fertilizers should not be necessary but a slow-released balanced fertilizer will benefit the plant largely. |
| Shape |
| Fokienia hodginsii has a pyramidal shape, reaching about 20 meters in height and 8 meters in width once fully developed. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| The tree is made up of scale foliage roughly half an inch long, that is thin and pointed. The leaves have a dark green colour. The tree will also grow large cones up to 4-6 inches long, typically starting a green colour and then gradually turn slightly brown or red as the tree matures. The bark is also a grey colour, with a rough scaly texture that is very thin. These trees are also very large and can reach up to 50-70 feet. These trees will also typically be found in a cooler climate. |
| Pests |
| This plant is not known to attract certain pests, but it is good to keep soil and plant aired out to avoid fungi. |
| Habitat |
| It occurs mostly on humid soil in montane habitats. This tree can usually be found in evergreen forests in higher elevations, preferably somewhere with well-draining soils and partial shade. F. hodginsii prefers a relatively warm climate that won’t get too cold throughout the year. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| The bark appears a dark brown/grey colour, with a rough scaly texture and a flute shaped trunk. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The flowers on Fokienia hodginsii are both male and female (monoecious). Most of the male flowers will be small and yellow, and the female flowers will be larger and a yellow-green colour. The leaf buds are brown and will be small and pointed. The younger leaves emerging from the tip of the bud will be a brighter green. |
| Leaf Description |
| The tree is made up of spiral patterned scale foliage, roughly half an inch long and narrow with a pointed tip. This foliage will be a dark green, shiny colour. |
| Flower Description |
| Fokienia will produce a small flower from February until April, and they produce male and female flowers on different plants -- which means the plant is dioecious. The male flowers will grow in a group on the peak of the branch and will be a yellow/brown colour. The female flowers will grow alone in the axils of the leaves with a green colour. |
| Fruit Description |
| The fruit is 2-4 cm in diameter, made out of a hard wood like shell that protects the seed. |
| Colour Description |
| This tree is mostly made up of a dark green colour from the foliage. The underlying bark is a grey-brown colour. |
| Texture Description |
| Slightly gritty. |
| Notable Specimens |
| A notable specimen of Fokienia hodginsii is located in Southeast Asia and is protected by the Vietnamese Government because it is known to be the largest one in the world. Researchers believe this tree is over a 1000 years old, Standing at a height of 60 m and a diameter of 3.5 m. |
| Propagation |
| Fokienia hodginsii can be propagated by seed and cuttings. Both get the job done just fine but cuttings will be faster and will have less variability among offspring. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Fokienia hodginsii produces inedible fruit that is instead used as a resin for traditional medicines. |
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