Machilus chekiangensisZhejiang Machilus

Machilus chekiangensis is a laurel of southeastern China, valued there as an amenity tree for one reason above all: the spring flush comes out a brilliant red and holds across the whole crown for weeks before hardening to glossy dark green.

It is used in park, campus and street planting where a dense evergreen crown is wanted and the spring colour can be seen from a distance.

Specifications

• Height10 to 15 metres
• Width6 to 9 metres
• Native toSoutheastern China, in Zhejiang, Fujian and neighbouring provinces
• FoliageLeathery, lance-shaped leaves, glossy dark green above and glaucous beneath, with a brilliant red spring flush; evergreen
• Growth rateModerate

Conditions

• SoilPrefers deep, moist, acidic and well-drained soils
• LightFull sun to partial shade
• WaterModerate; benefits from reliable moisture
• ClimateThrives in humid subtropical regions and tolerates light frost

Additional Features

• FormDense oval crown on a straight trunk
• UsesIdeal for park, campus and street planting, and for evergreen shade and screening
• SpacingPlant 5 to 7 metres apart for a closed avenue canopy
• Low MaintenanceFormative pruning only; the crown shapes itself
• Pest ResistanceGenerally robust in its climate range
• Seasonal AppealThe red spring flush is the feature of the tree and reads across a whole planting

Zhejiang Machilus offers the density of an evergreen canopy with a spring colour event that most evergreens cannot match.