China Fir (Cunninghamia Lanceolata) 20 seeds (#55)

A muscular evergreen conifer, China fir's needled branches are slightly drooping and bear greenish brown cones. Native to China, it has string-like corky bar that is sandy sienna-brown and an upright shape that is rounded to pyramid-like. It is a close relative of the giant redwood (Sequoia)
The dark green glossy needles are narrow and prickly, individually they are lance-shaped with white stripes on their undersides. On the branches the needles lay in a flattened, horizontal plane so they appear somewhat feathery overall. Female and male cones appear in different branches on this tree in early summer. Only the female cones become ornamental green-brown cones that resemble small pendent artichokes. Needles that die tend to cling on the branches, especially in arid regions.
Grow China fir in any moist soil with good drainage and position it so it is sheltered from drying winds. It is quite drought and heat tolerant. To form a specimen tree, select one trunk on young plants and allow that to become the central leader. This plant can be pruned back and allowed to rejuvenate with multiple trunks and dense foliage. It is most beautiful if given ample space to attain an upright, pyramidal tree in the lawn. Lowest branches can be removed to gain visual access to the interesing bark.

Genus - Cunninghamia
Species - Lanceolata
Common name - China Fir
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 7 - 9
Height - 35'-70' / 10 - 21 m
Spread - 16'-30' / 5 - 9 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, Loam, Well Drained
Water requirements - Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Leaf / Flower color - Green / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse.
No pre-treatment required. If the seed does not germinate within 8 weeks then 30 days cold stratification may speed up the process.
Germination usually takes place in 1 - 6 months at +18C.
When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.