This coniferous tree has a solitary trunk to 6m (20ft) in diameter with red-brown bark and a buttress base with spreading branches that form a broad conical habit. It has grey green scale-like leaves and the female brown cones appear during late spring.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Taiwania cryptomerioides is naturally found from a central Taiwan to south-west China and extending to northern Vietnam growing on the mountains and can live for up to 2,000 years. In its native habitat the tree is in decline due to deforestation and logging and is regarded as an endangered species.

It prefers an open sunny to sheltered position and grows in deep well-drained, moist fertile sandy to limestone base soils with a pH 6-7.5 and is frost tolerant but drought tender.

The Formosa Redwood it is grown for its majestic habit and foliage. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a specimen tree or used in woodland settings. It is suitable for mountainous regions and establishes in 3-6 years and is vigorous when young and is very long-lived.

The tree is also grown in plantations for its soft timber which is used for construction, furniture, boat building, paper manufacturing and making coffins (Chinese coffin tree). ID 3700

Taiwania (ty-WAN-ee-ah) cryptomerioides(KRIP-toh-meh-ree-OY-deez)

Cupressaceae(kew-press-AY-see-ee)
Coniferous Trees