Torreya fargesii
Family: Cephalotaxaceae
What it is like
Torreya fargesii is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft 7in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 20
Where it is found
Woodlands, 1000 - 1600 metres. Coniferous, mixed, and broad-leaved forests at an elevation of 1000 - 3400 metres.
E. Asia - E. China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed. No further details are given, but it is likely to be oily and to be eaten raw or cooked. An oil is obtained from the seed.
Oil: Oil
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
An oil is extracted from the seed. The high quality timber is used in constructing houses, bridges, and furniture, and making implements and utensils.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating some lime. Requires a sheltered position and either high humidity or a moist riverside soil. Dislikes wind exposure. Tolerates woodland shade very well. Requires hot, very humid summers for best growth. This species is considered to be suitable for afforestation and reforestation in China.. Trees are hardy only in the milder areas of Britain. The seed takes two summers to mature. Plants are dioecious, but sometimes monoecious plants are seen bearing dioecious branches. Male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit is required.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some of the seed should germinate in the following spring though much of it might take another 12 months. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and can take 18 months or more to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as growth is observed and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least the next couple of winters, making sure to pot them on into larger pots as and when required. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer when the plants are at least 20cm tall. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots in late summer. Cuttings do not grow well. Layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist