Yunnan Nutmeg Yew
Torreya yunnanensis
Family: Cephalotaxaceae
What it is like
Torreya yunnanensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, 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): 15
Where it is found
Coniferous and mixed forests in warm temperate zones, locally a common forest tree, at levations of 1500 - 3400 metres in NW Yunnan.
E. Asia - China in Yunnan province.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed. No more details are given but it is likely that the seed can be eaten raw or cooked and is rich in oil. An edible 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 for 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. A vulnerable species in the wild, where it is at risk of becoming extinct. This species is not hardy in all parts of Britain, but trees can be grown outdoors in the milder parts of the country. The seed takes two summers to mature. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species, with some authorities seeing it as no more than a sub-species of T. fargesii. Plants are dioecious, but sometimes monoecious with dioecious branches. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed 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: 7-10
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist