Cunninghamia lanceolata: China Fir

China fir is an evergreen which is usually seen from 30 to 75 feet in height with a spread of 10 to 30 feet. The strong, heavy trunk stands straight up at the base of the coarse, irregular, pyramidal form which is composed of somewhat pendulous branches densely clothed in 1.5- to 2.5-inch-long, bright green, pointed needles. It is somewhat reminiscent of some of the spruces like blue and white spruce. Occasionally the tree will be grown with several trunks arising from the soil, but above that point the trunk almost never branches into a double or multiple leader, growing up the center of the tree like an arrow and lending a strong vertical accent to any area. The crown is fairly open allowing the trunk and large branches to show prominently. Like other tall-growing trees, it is best to maintain only one central trunk.