A slow growing cone-shaped evergreen conifer from near the tree line in Yunnan, S.W. China and adjacent states, 3000-4000m. Dark green glossy needles, underside vivid white. Upright dark purple-blue cones. Needs cool summers and high rainfall. No wildling risk.

Southern Oregon down the Sierra Nevada to central Southern California. Spirelike, evergreen, always straight, to 75m in its habitat. Grey-green needles, bark black to brown and deeply fissured on older trees. Drought tolerant, rare in NZ.

Tamaulipa Province, Mexico, only found on 500 hectares. Narrowly conical, evergreen. Blueish green needles. Vigorous growth, two specimens are the tallest trees in our 35-year-old collection. Large volume timber production. Good near Fairlie.

Europe and south west Asia. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Vigorous grower. Tolerates harsh conditions. Can seed prolifically and provide fodder for grazing animals. In Central Otago it gives good yellow autumn colour.