The form of the plant growing in Vietnam is recognised as distinct in some modern treatments, as Cupressus tonkinensis Silba (syn Cupressus funebris subsp. tonkinensis (Silba) Silba)[].

Common Name: Chinese Weeping Cypress

General Information

Chinese weeping cypress is an evergreen tree with a large, oval crown; it can grow up to 25 metres tall. The bole can be 40 - 90cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, plus source of essential oil and wood. It is cultivated as a timber crop in China[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - western Himalayas, southern China, Vietnam.

Habitat

Hot and wet tropical and subtropical forests at elevations from 250 - 3,000 metres. It is often mixed with Burretiodendron hsienmu and Markhamia stipulata on limestone mountains, sometimes forming pure stands on mountain slopes, ridges, and tops[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moist areas in the subtropics to tropics, where it is found at elevations from 350 - 3,000 metres[].
Thrives in a well-drained loamy or peaty soil[]. Very tolerant of hot dry conditions[]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[] but is then more subject to insect damage in a succession of dry seasons[]. Requires a sunny position[]. Prefers a pH of 6 or lower[].
Plants are subject to injury by the wind[, ].
Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
The crushed foliage has the scent of grass[].
Cones can remain closed on the tree for a number of years, opening after the heat of a forest fire to scatter their seeds which then germinate and grow rapidly in the ashes of the fire[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaf is antiperiodic[]. It is used in the treatment of bleeding piles, excessive menstrual flow etc[].

A decoction of fruiting branches is used in the treatment of colds[].

The wood, especially the root wood, contains essential oils that is antiseptic. The wood, or the oil, can be used to cure inflammatory wounds[].

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the wood is used in the cosmetic industry[].

The white wood has an aromatic smell; is fine-textured; close and straight-grained; hard, tough; durable; resistant to termites and insects. Used for cabinetwork, furniture, fine art articles, general construction, agricultural implements etc[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - three weeks cold stratification can improve germination rates[]. Sow in a nursery seedbed and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 2 months at 20°c. The seedlings are very subject to damping off so should be watered with care and kept well-ventilated[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until ready to plant out into their permanent positions. The seed can store for several years[].
Cuttings of almost ripe wood[].

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