5. China-Fir

Tree Tour

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Bloedel Hall's northwest corner has a gorgeously colored redwood cousin featuring spongy cinnamon bark and broad, flat 1-2.5 inch needles in sumptuous, curving array along stout twigs. This distinctive species is a large-growing, common, important Chinese conifer, its wood used to make coffins and for many less ghastly roles. China-fir has been cultivated in the West since 1804. Unlike many evergreens, it can sucker from its base. The walnut-sized, prickly cones fall firmly adherent to the dry, brown old twigs. Though China-fir foliage is normally shiny dark green, you see here the matte bluish form.

Pictured below: Map showing geographic range of China-Fir.

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