Cunninghamia Lanceolata (Chinese Fir)

A slender evergreen, pyramidal tree to 50metres in its native lands of Taiwan, south and south-eastern China. The bark is russet with leaves that are slender, dark green above and paler beneath in twin rows along the shoots.

It needs moist but well drained soil and is best sheltered from strong winds. There are lovely specimens in Kent, west to the Cornish peninsula and southern Eire. The rot and termite resistant lumber is used for bridged, ships and lamp posts.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.