Guling – Kuliang

Because the scientific name of the Chinese Cryptomeria Cypress is Cryptomeria japonica var. sinensis, and has the latin word “japonica” in it, sometimes people think that this tree came from Japan to China, but this is not certain.  It is distinct from the Japanese variety, and is sometimes called by another Latin name, Cryptomeria fortunei.

Please note – although the tree is called Japanese “Cedar” in English, it isn’t really a member of the Cedar (Cedrus) family, so it is not a true Cedar.  Technically it is in the Cypress Family.  China’s Cryptomeria tree is a relative of the Cryptomeria trees that are native to Japan, which are often grown surrounding Buddhist temples there, and in English are referred to as “Japanese Cedars,” although they are really Cypresses.

This variety is native to China and grows in a number of places, including Fujian, Jiangxi (Lu shan), Sichuan, Yunnan, and northwestern Zhejiang (Tianmu shan) provinces.  It has been introduced to other provinces in China because it is a good tree for forestry plantations, and its wood is known for being lightweight but strong, waterproof, and resistant to decay.   It grows on deep, well-drained soils in warm, moist conditions at elevations from below 3,500 feet (1,100 m) up to 8,000 feet (2,500 m) above sea level.*

*Attributed from: Fu Liguo, Yu Yongfu, and Robert R. Mill. ©1999. Taxodiaceae. In Wu Zheng-yi and Peter H. Raven (eds.). Flora of China, Volume 4. Beijing: Science Press