Cultivation Methods and Management Key Points for the Chinese Parasol Tree

The Chinese parasol tree, also known as qingtong, is a deciduous tree of the genus Firmiana in the family Sterculiaceae. Its crown is oval, the trunk is straight, the bark is smooth and green, and the lateral branches are thick and emerald green.

The Chinese parasol tree is a sun-loving species that prefers a warm, humid climate. It is widely distributed in China, has weak cold tolerance, and can grow in acidic, neutral, and calcareous soils. It has a deep root system and is prone to root rot when waterlogged; during the high-temperature season, 3 to 5 days of flooding can kill it. It grows fairly quickly and has a long lifespan. It leafs out late and sheds its leaves early. The leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds can all be used as medicine, and the seeds can also be roasted for eating and pressed for oil.

It is commonly propagated by sowing, and cuttings and root division are also possible. Harvest the fruit when it ripens in autumn, dry it in the sun and thresh it, then sow it in autumn of the same year, or store it in sand until spring sowing the following year. For drilling, the row spacing is 25 cm, and the soil covering is about 1.5 cm thick. The sowing rate is about 15 kg per mu. Seeds stored in sand germinate more evenly and sprout 4 to 5 weeks after sowing. Dry-stored seeds often germinate unevenly, so they can be soaked in warm water before sowing to promote germination. Under normal management, the current-year seedlings can reach more than 50 cm in height and are transplanted for further cultivation the following year. Three-year-old seedlings can be ready for sale. The planting site should be chosen in a high, dry area, with base fertilizer applied in the hole; after the trunk is headed back, seal the saw cut with wax. Pay attention to pests such as the Chinese parasol tree psyllid, the frost hawk moth, and the stinging slug caterpillar, which can be controlled with petroleum emulsion, dichlorvos, dimethoate, methamidophos, and the like. In the north, young trees should be wrapped with straw rope in winter to protect them from the cold. Apply fertilizer once each in early winter and early spring.

The Chinese parasol tree is easy to cultivate, simple to manage, and also very water-efficient. Its branches and leaves are luxuriant and its shade is dense, and it has a legendary quality because of the tale of the Chinese parasol tree attracting a phoenix. It is an important courtyard landscaping tree species in China, suitable for solitary or grouped planting on lawns, in courtyards, in front of houses, and on slopes. Because it has strong resistance to sulfur dioxide and hydrogen fluoride, it can also be used for greening factory and mining areas.