Torreya taxifolia

Cultivation Details

Torreya taxifolia is somewhat cold-hardy when dormant, tolerating temperatures down to between -6.6°c and -1.1°c^[1] - although there is also a report that trees at the Biltmore estate in North Carolina have survived temperatures as low as -31°c^{[1, 2]}. The plant grows wild in an area with a subtropical climate with wet summers and mild, dry winters. Mean annual precipitation is 1,420mm^[2]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating some lime^[3]. Requires a sheltered position and either high humidity or a moist riverside soil^[4]. Found in the wild on well-drained soils with a pH in the range 4 - 8^[2]. Dislikes wind exposure^[4]. Tolerates woodland shade very well^[4]. Requires hot, very humid summers for best growth^[4]. Species in this genus are generally adapted to growing in primary woodland. The seedlings are very shade tolerant, establishing well in the deeper shade of a woodland and then growing up to the light. They can sometimes be found growing in secondary vegetation, but they do not usually persist, being outcompeted by other, more light-tolerant species^[1]. The leaves emit a foetid odour when crushed^[5]. The tree produces new sprouts from the roots, bole, and root crown following damage to above-ground portions of the tree. Numerous sprouts are produced at the base of the parent tree, although only one sprout usually survives after several years of growth^[2]. Populations of Torreya taxifolia were thriving until the 1950's, but since then they have been decimated by fungal disease. Only nonreproductive stump sprouts remain in the wild. The plant was listed as federally endangered in 1984 under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and efforts are underway to reestablish this once thriving species in its native habitat^[5]. Plants are dioecious - both male and female forms must usually be grown if fruit and seed are required^[2].