Chinafir
Cunninghamia lanceolata
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
A towering heirloom of Southern gardens, with exotic grace, cathedral form, and a whisper of mountain fog from the forests of old China.
Cunninghamia lanceolata, the Chinafir, is a bold, pyramidal evergreen, long a curiosity and treasure of the Southern landscape and one of the oldest Asian conifers brought into American cultivation. Native to the misty mountain slopes of China, this stately tree has for generations lent a soft, needled silhouette and an ancient bearing to cemeteries, farmyards, and forgotten estate borders across the South.
The long, flattened needles, arranged in a more or less two-dimensional plane, give the branches a feathered, almost fern-like quality, a far cry from the rigid geometry of many conifers. The foliage is often a rich blue-green, and when backlit by winter sun the whole tree glows with a quiet, silken sheen. The Chinafir is frequently multi-trunked, and with age the trunks develop a deeply furrowed, reddish-brown bark that peels in elegant strips. Small, rounded cones form along the branches, offering visual interest without clutter.
Often mistaken by the casual observer for the exotic monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), Cunninghamia is altogether softer, more forgiving, and better suited to Southern soils and climate. The tree thrives in moist, acidic, well-drained soil, appreciates a bit of space to spread and breathe, and welcomes the occasional grooming to remove deadwood and open the elegant form to air.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 6–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist, Acid
- Mature size
- Height 40–60 Feet · Spread 15–25 Feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is shared for traditional and educational interest only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before any medicinal use.
- Chiefly a traditional external and bath remedy
- Not a substitute for professional medical care
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.