Taiwania cryptomerioides
- Grow your own Taiwan Cedar — a.k.a. Coffin Tree — a relative of California's redwoods and one of the largest trees in Asia
- 100% guaranteed
- Seed-grown on California's Redwood Coast
- Transplanting and care instructions included
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Moisture Medium |
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Cold Hardiness 0°F |
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Light Full Sun / Partial Shade |
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Size 100 – 260' tall / 30 – 50' spread |
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Lifespan 2,000 yrs |
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Growth Rate Fast Growing |
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Drought Tolerance Low to Moderate |
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Wind Resistance Moderate to High |
About Taiwan Cedar (a.k.a. Coffin Tree)
From Save the Redwoods League:
"[The] coffin tree (Taiwania cryptomerioides), or Taiwan cedar, [is] one of the largest trees in Asia. This tree is found in forests in mainland China and Taiwan growing alongside plants not unlike those found in our coast redwood forests. Coffin trees stand 200 feet tall alongside Douglas firs, oaks, rhododendrons and berry plants, densely hung with old man’s beard lichen.
Similar to the coast redwood and giant sequoia, its wood is remarkably resistant to fungi, insects and decay. This makes it highly desirable, and as the name suggests, it is often used for building coffins as well as homes and furniture thanks to its beautifully marked grain. It is long-lived, reaching 1,600 to 2,000 years and older.
Once more widely distributed throughout Asia, these trees were heavily logged due to their valuable timber, losing 30 to 40 percent of its original range. In 2002, scientists discovered a new population of coffin trees in the remote mountains of northern Vietnam, hundreds of miles from the next-closest population and in acute danger of local extinction. A successful community-based conservation program has since been established to protect these disconnected specimens from illegal harvesting and damaging land-clearing. China, for its part, declared a ban on coffin tree logging in 2001. The establishment of Yushan National Park in Taiwan in 1984 has helped protect this tree.
Beloved by locals for its beautiful wood, often distinguished by yellow and red markings, the coffin tree served for generations as a sturdy building material and, for those who could afford it, an ideal final resting place. The range of these trees is now restricted to damp locations at elevations that have, thus far, avoided the axe. Like their redwood relatives, coffin trees are monotypic — the only species within their Taiwania genus — and thus contribute greatly to global biodiversity."
About Jonsteen's Seedlings
All of our trees are seed-grown at our nursery on California's Redwood Coast, which is inspected monthly and licensed by the California Department of Agriculture. Trees can provide a natural barrier against high winds, temperatures, noise pollution and soil erosion, all while benefiting local air quality, wildlife and property values — a Jonsteen seedling will only grow in value and beauty!
About Jonsteen's 100% Guarantee
All of our trees are guaranteed to arrive healthy and in good condition. If your tree perishes despite your honest efforts, we will be happy to replace it with a small-sized seedling for just the cost of shipping/handling. You can learn more about our guarantee and tree replacement policy here.
Seedling Size Chart: Medium
Due to the dynamic nature of actively growing trees, as well as the tremendous variation between species’ growth rates, we rely on the cubic volume of a seedling’s root mass to determine its “size” (Small / Medium / Large / XL). Within each size there is minor variance — the dimensions provided here represent the category minimum. If exact measurements are essential, please contact us about current stock.
