Schima superbaChinese Gugertree

A tall evergreen relative of the camellias, Schima superba carries leathery glossy leaves that flush deep red as they emerge, and in early summer the crown fills with fragrant white flowers with a boss of yellow stamens, camellia-like at close range.

It reaches 15 to 20 metres with a dense rounded crown and is planted throughout southern China both as an amenity tree and, because the moist evergreen foliage burns poorly, as a component of firebreak plantings.

Specifications

• Height15 to 20 metres, occasionally to 25 metres
• Width8 to 12 metres
• Native toSouthern China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Ryukyu Islands
• FoliageLeathery, glossy dark green elliptic leaves, flushing deep red as they emerge; evergreen
• Growth rateModerate

Conditions

• SoilRequires acidic, deep, free-draining soils; intolerant of alkaline ground
• LightFull sun to partial shade
• WaterModerate; needs regular water and is not a low-irrigation species
• ClimateThrives in humid subtropical regions

Additional Features

• FlowersFragrant white flowers with yellow stamens in early summer, camellia-like at close range
• UsesPark and campus canopy, avenue planting, screening and amenity forestry
• SpacingPlant 8 to 10 metres apart for avenue work
• Low MaintenanceFormative pruning to establish a clear trunk, then little attention
• Pest ResistanceGenerally robust in humid subtropical conditions
• Environmental BenefitsUsed in southern China as a firebreak species because the moist evergreen foliage resists burning
• VersatilityWorks as a specimen, an avenue subject or a dense evergreen screen

The Chinese Gugertree is a dense evergreen canopy for humid subtropical parks, campuses and shelter planting.