Platycladus orientalis
Specifications
Family
Cupressaceae
Species
Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco
oriental arborvitae
chinese arborvitae
oriental thuja
Description
The sapwood is broad, grayish or pinkish, fading into the heartwood, which, after exposure to air, takes on a purplish-red hue. The texture is moderately coarse, the grain strongly interwoven and irregular, and the density ranges from 0.54 to 0.64. The presence of gum-resin pockets leads to encrustation of the blades during cutting. Although it does not shrink significantly during drying, it is particularly prone to cracking and warping. Mechanical strength is good, but regarding durability, the sapwood is easily attacked by fungi and insects; the heartwood, while not as durable, holds up much better.
Plant morphology
It is a densely branched, conical evergreen tree, up to 15 m tall, and tends to be polycormic. The bark is rust-colored and fibrous. The scale-like leaves are imbricated and close to the branch. The oblong, 2.5 cm long, blue-green cones are upright and contain a single wingless seed under each of the 6-8 woody scales.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
East Asia: China, Korea and Manchuria.
Habitat and ecology
It lives in the transition zones between the Mongolian steppes and the mixed forests of oak, birch, and various pine species in China; today, it is found primarily in secondary forests in varying states of preservation. It is a pioneer species with a moderately long lifespan.
Uses
Application areas
It is widely used for fine carpentry, furniture, floorboards, boats, decorative veneers, plywood.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
The harvesting of particularly large individuals for timber has led to a decline in the number of mature individuals; the impact this has had on the total population is difficult to estimate.
Conservation measures
It is necessary to monitor the population dynamics of this species and draw up an inventory of mature individuals.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
NT - Near threatened - Close to threat
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2011
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2011
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
610
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
22
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
34
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
87
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
7450
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant