Cunninghamia lanceolata aka Chinese Fir

Cunninghamia lanceolata, also known as Chinese Fir, is a tall conifer belonging to the cypress family, Cupressaceae, and is native to south-central and southeast China. It can reach heights of up to 150 feet (45.7 meters) in mild climates, but typically ranges from 30 to 50 feet (9.1 to 15.2 meters) in North America. The tree has a pyramidal crown and dark gray to dark brown bark. Its foliage consists of green lanceolate-shaped leaves arranged spirally. Male cones form in clusters of 10 to 30 while female cones form in clusters of 2 to 3. Seed cones are small and almost unnoticeable when first pollinated, but mature after seven months and range in size from 1 to 1.8 inches (2.5 to 4.5 cm) in length. Ornamentally, C. lanceolata is commonly planted as a specimen tree in temperate zones. In China, it covers an estimated 9 million hectares and is responsible for around 25 percent of all Chinese commercial timber production. The tree is also used for carbon sequestration, with near natural forest management increasing carbon stocks in soils through litter decomposition in topsoil. Cunninghamia lanceolata prefers acidic clay loam soils and needs protection from the wind. Although it has good green color during the growing season, it tends to "brown out" inside as it matures and gets older.