Chinese Fir An ancient tree, Cunninghamia lanceolata is a tall, evergreen, coniferous tree with an upright, almost columnar habit, rounded to pyramidal crown and drooping branches. The bark is deep reddish-brown, splitting to reveal the aromatic, yellow or red inner bark. The leathery, needle-like leaves are a bluish-green, arranged spirally round the twigs. Insignificant flowers appear in May, and female flowers are followed by greenish cones, which later turn brown. Giving year-round interest, Chinese fir makes a superb specimen tree for a large garden, but be aware that it dislikes cold, drying winds. Site: ShelteredSoil: Any moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeSeason of interest: All yearHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: 82’ (25m) Spread: 30’ (9m) Photos by Leonora Enking and Harum Koh, cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.