TAIWANIA
Common Name: Taiwania, Chinese Coffin tree
Scientific Name: Taiwania cryptomeroides
Introduction
A giant of the tree world, Taiwania, also know as the Chinese Coffin tree, can grow to 80m high and 3 metres across. It is found as an emergent species in forests at mid to high elevations. The timber is extremely useful for making a range of high quality products (particularly coffins, hence its popular name) but the species has become threatened in recent years due to logging and habitat loss.
Why is this species important?
Reaching around 80 metres, Taiwania cryptomerioides is one of the world’s tallest trees. It is also of great economic and cultural importance to people living in local communities.
Where is it found?
The species is native to eastern Asia, growing in the mountains of central Taiwan. It is also found in mainland China (Guizhou, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan); Myanmar and Viet Nam (although populations in China and Myanmar are sometimes referred to as a different species: Taiwania flousiana)
How do people use it?
The timber of Taiwania is extremely easy to work, light, durable and pleasantly scented. It is therefore used to make a variety of products such as furniture, bridges, boats and coffins. Coffin makers in particular are heavily reliant on the timber and would see a great fall in income if it were to disappear.
Why is it threatened?
The number of Taiwania cryptomerioides individuals has suffered a major decline in recent decades, this is due to forest clearance and logging. Poor regeneration also contributes to the vulnerability of the tree.
What conservation action is needed? What is currently being done?
Protection of wild trees is essential, as is reinforcing these populations with nursery grown trees. The Global Trees Campaign has been working on Taiwania and other Vietnamese conifer species since 2005. In 2007 GTC helped establish the Conifer Conservation Centre (CCC) in north Vietnam, which has a fully functioning nursery for conifer propagation. In addition, a satellite conifer nursery in Hanoi and a special Taiwania nursery in Nam Co Commune have been established. Taiwania seedlings have been successfuly grown in these nurseries and used to reinforce the wild populations of the tree. In addition to reinforcement, all known wild trees have been measured and tagged for monitoring purposes. GTC have also supported the production of a draft investment plan for a protected area for the species - this new nature reserve would incorporate all known living Taiwania in Vietnam.
Read more about GTC's work to conserve Vietnamese conifers.
We are currently supporting further Taiwania restoration work through our Conservation Gifts at Tree2MyDoor.com - click for more information and plant a conifer tree as a gift.
Acknowledgements
This profile was researched and written by Arianne Davies.
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