Fujian cypress

Fokienia hodginsii (Fujian cypress) is an evergreen cupressaceous tree 20–30 m tall with a trunk that can exceed 1 m in diameter and a handsome conical crown; the bark peels in scales. The scale-like leaves are arranged in flattened sprays and release a pleasant aroma when crushed. The species is monoecious; the male and female cones are small, the female cones globose and bearing winged seeds. Fokienia is a monotypic genus (containing only this one species) in the cypress family (Cupressaceae).

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/08/2026

Fokienia hodginsii is a living relic of the ancient cupressaceous forests of the Tertiary, regarded as a “living fossil” among conifers. It ranges from southern and eastern China (where it was first described, in Fujian) through Vietnam and Laos to Thailand and Myanmar. It grows in humid montane closed evergreen forest on deep soils and is scarce in dry dipterocarp forest; its distribution is scattered and discontinuous. In Vietnam it is a prized timber species associated with high-mountain forests that need protection.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/08/2026

Fokienia wood is light (density 0.40–0.55 g/cm³), fine-grained, pleasantly aromatic, durable and termite-resistant — consisting mainly of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose together with essential oil and aromatic extractives. The oil from the leaves and wood contains sesquiterpenes and terpenoids that give the characteristic fragrance and have been studied for antibacterial and insect-repellent activity. The aromatic, termite-resistant wood makes Fokienia prized for household items and carving, but is also the reason the species has been over-exploited.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/08/2026

Fokienia yields prized timber for furniture, boxes, trays, handicrafts, wooden statues and ritual items; because of its durability and termite resistance the wood is also used for poles, boards and structures. The fragrant oil from the leaves and wood is used as a fragrance material and is a subject of research, and the bark and wood also provide aromatic extractives. In daily life Fokienia wood is associated with high-grade craft products and traditional religious objects. The tree is also planted for ornament and montane protective forest.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/08/2026

Fokienia hodginsii is listed as Vulnerable (VU) by IUCN. It is logged for its aromatic wood and dug up because of its high economic value, while montane forest shrinks; the species regenerates slowly, so populations recover poorly after exploitation. As for safety, Fokienia wood and oil are not food; concentrated oil can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, must not be swallowed, and should be diluted for external use. Strict protection of natural populations and propagation are needed to conserve the gene pool.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/08/2026