Taiwania cryptomerioides

Northwest bank of Lake Spafford

This is a tall evergreen tree with a pyramid shape. Branches are long and drooping with blue green needles.


Botanical Name: Taiwania cryptomerioides
Common Name: Formosan redwood
Location: Northwest bank of Lake Spafford
Family: Cupressaceae
Sunset Zones: 4-9, 14-24, H1
Native Range: Taiwan and China
Habitat: Prefers well-drained soil, moist conditions, and full sun.
General Habit: Evergreen coniferous tree, pyramid shape, awl-like needles attach to branches that are pendulant. Can grow up to 200 ft. tall with a 20 ft. diameter in the wild.
Notes: Examples of this tree in Taiwan have dated back to the Cenozoic era, making this quite an ancient tree species. The timber of this tree has been used to make coffins in China and Taiwan.