Common Name: fokienia
Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Cupressaceae
Native Range: China, Laos, Vietnam
Zone: 8 to 9
Height: 25.00 to 35.00 feet
Spread: 20.00 to 30.00 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaf: Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-9 where it is best grown in reasonably moist, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade (develops dense habit in sun but more open habit in part shade). Intolerant of full shade. Grows best in areas with abundant rainfall. Propagate by seeds or cuttings.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Fokienia hodginsii, commonly known as fokienia or Fujian cypress, is a columnar needled evergreen tree with a pyramidal crown. It is in the cypress family. It typically matures to 40-60‘ tall and to 25-35’ wide, but occasionally rises to as much as 100’ tall. It is native to alpine forests in China, northern Laos, and Vietnam. This tree features (a) gray-brown bark, (b) awl-shaped leaves in flattened branchlets, (c) subglobose cones (yellowish-green pollen cones to 3/32” and much larger brown seed cones to 1”), and (d) seed that ripens in fall.
Genus name is derived from the old Roman name for Fujian province in China where the first specimen of this tree was collected and brought to Europe in 1908 by Captain A. E. W. Hodgins.
This genus has only one living species. Some experts believe Fokienia should not be listed as a separate genus but should be moved into Chamaecyparis.
Specific epithet honors Captain Hodgins.
Problems
No known frequently occurring insect or disease problems. Watch for dieback, anthracnose and rust.
Uses
Rare in commerce. Unusual but interesting landscape specimen.