Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop

Landscape Uses:Aggressive surface roots possible, Specimen, Woodland garden. Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[1, 11]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[1]. Established plants tolerate drought[200]. This species grows in an area where the summers are long and hot and the winters are mild[229]. It is not very hardy in Britain[1], especially when young, and grows much smaller in this country than it does in the wild[200]. It dislikes temperatures falling below about -5°c[238]. There are, however, some trees that were 15 metres tall in south-eastern England in 1970[185]. Trees in the wild grow slowly, taking about 150 years to reach maximum size and living 200 - 300 years[229]. Young seedlings are very slow growing for their first few years and look more like a clump of grass than a tree. They do not begin to grow a stem for their first few years. It is believed that this is a form of protection from forest fires since the heat might pass over the small tree without killing it and leaving it without much competition[K]. Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow under the trees[18]. The cones are 15 - 25cm long, they open and shed their seed whilst still attached to the tree[82, 226]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[200]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[200]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. This species is notably resistant to fusiform rust[229]. Special Features: North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Carbon Farming

• Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
• Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Minor Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.