Podocarpus macrophyllus is found in China (Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hong-Kong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Japan, Myanmar and Taiwan. It grows in forests, open thickets, roadsides at elevations of near sea level to 1000 meters. It is hardy to USDA hardiness zone 8-11.
Podocarpus macrophyllus also called as Buddhist Pine, Yew plum pine, Fern pine, Taxus macrophylla, is a species of the genus Podocarpus. This species was described by Robert Sweet in 1818.
IDENTIFY PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS - BUDDHIST PINE PLANTS
Podocarpus macrophyllus is found in China (Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hong-Kong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Japan, Myanmar and Taiwan. It grows in forests, open thickets, roadsides at elevations of near sea level to 1000 meters. It is hardy to USDA hardiness zone 8-11.
Buddhist Pine is a small to medium size evergreen tree which reaching up to 20 m tall and to 60 cm in diameter trunk with gray or grayish brown bark. The leaves spirally arranged, sessile, dark green, linear-lanceolate, oblanceolate, or oblong-oblanceolate, slightly curved, 1.7-12 cm x 2-10 mm. Pollen cones usually in clusters of 3-5. Seed 1 cm in diameter, apex rounded, mature in Aug-Sep.
Some varieties: var. chingii (branches erect; crown columnar; leaf blade oblanceolate or oblong-oblanceolate), var. angustifolius (leaf blade usually 5-12 cm x 3-6 mm, apex acuminate or subacute), var. piliramulus (branchlets densely blackish brown pubescent), var. maki (branchlets glabrous).
Yew plum pine is widely planted in China and Japan as well as in parts of SE Asia as an amenity tree. In Japan, this species is planted for hedges; var. maki is a popular pot plant and is occasionally seen as bonsai. A few cultivars, one a compact shrub, others also shrubs but with narrow or variegated leaves, are known. The species and its var. maki are also commonly planted in other East Asian countries and find use as an ornamental as far away as Puerto Rico.
PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS - BUDDHIST PINE PLANTS CARE AND CULTIVATION
The cultivation of these plants presents no special difficulties, if proper soil and exposure are available. The question of hardiness is, of course, all-important. It is not only the problem of temperature the given tree will stand, but also the exposure to winds, and, to a considerable extent, the source from which the tree is derived. If the plants are raised from seeds matured in similar or even more rigorous climates, they are usually more hardy.
Soils:
Podocarpus macrophyllus prefer a well-drained porous gravelly subsoil, overlaid with a light sandy loam. They seem to be particularly happy in a soil underlaid with a porous glacial drift. In cultivation, however, they succeed very well in ordinary well-drained soil. When the plants are set in clay soil, which is often done, the soil should be thoroughly loosened by trenching or subsoil plowing, and well underdrained. Any available humus, woodashes, and well-rotted manure incorporated in the soil greatly aid in rendering it friable and porous for the roots.
Manures and mulches:
Mulching with ordinary well-rotted barnyard manure in late autumn affords much stimulus to growth. By the following spring the manure will be in a desiccated condition and can be incorporated with the soil. A heavy mulch of old straw, rotten hay, or any similar material over the roots, and this was maintained throughout the entire growing season is benefit to the plants in a more or less juvenile condition.
In many cases manure is not obtainable. In such event, newly moved plants should be heavily mulched with rotten straw, rotten hay, or any similar rubbish for a few years until they become established. The frequent stirring of the ground over the roots subsequently will conserve sufficient moisture.
An area extending from the stem to one to two feet beyond the branches, stirred up with hoe and rake perhaps five or six times throughout the growing season, is very beneficial in conserving the moisture around the roots.
Pruning:
This is one of a few trees which can be pruned into a nice hedge. The dark green foliage and dense growth creates a formal mass. It looks better when pruned with a hand pruner, not sheared with a hedge trimmer.
Removal of the lower branches of Buddhist Pine is a serious mistake, and, if healthy, they should be retained to the base. Pruning or disbudding can be intelligently performed to add much to the natural symmetry. The extraction or removal, early in spring, of the central or terminal bud, will tend to compel the branches which start from the side buds to spread apart and form a much denser growth. Cutting back the previous year's terminal growth to a strong bud or branchlet on the main limbs over the tree, if the plant is inclined to be thin in its branching, always produces a much denser lateral growth.
Transplanting:
Transplanting can be done at all times of the year, excepting midsummer when they are in full growth. The best success is secured in spring when the buds begin to swell. From the end of August to the middle of September, if there have been abundant rains and the ground has been well soaked, is a very good time to move the plants. They may be planted late in autumn when circumstances compel it, but there is likely to be a considerable percentage of loss. Their roots are very susceptible to injury from exposure to the air, and the utmost vigilance should be exercised to keep them covered and moist.
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