Toona sinensis - Chinese Mahogany

Cedrela or Toona sinensis, commonly known as Chinese Mahogany, is an interesting Chinese tree known for its fast growth, elegant foliage, and light silhouette. While it doesn't have the grace of Ailanthus altissima (the tree of heaven), the Chinese cedar will replace it advantageously, as it does not have its invasive character. Its finely divided foliage spreads at the top of a slender trunk covered with grey and fissured bark, whose resinous aroma evokes that of cedar. It is a beautiful tree for lining streets and also makes a beautiful specimen to plant alone in a large garden. To succeed in its cultivation, it should be planted in a sunny location, in fertile and moist soil, sheltered from cold winds, under a temperate climate.

There is confusion in the naming of this tree. Sources call it Toona sinensis, Cedrela toona, or Cedrela sinensis. The genus Cedrela, exclusively American, is currently separated from the genus Toona, native to the Old World. Toona sinensis, or Chinese Cedar, the only commercially available species, belongs to the Meliaceae family, just like Melia azedarach. It is native to Eastern and Southern China, as well as Southeast Asia. This tree has a rapid growth rate, especially in the first 10 years. Its habit is initially slender, then the canopy widens over time, but its crown never becomes very wide; it is fairly open and not very dense. Eventually, the Chinese Mahogany measures on average 17.5m (57ft) in height and 9.5m (31ft) in spread. The deciduous foliage is a major asset of this plant, composed of leaves 50 to 70cm (20 to 28in) long, divided into numerous ovate and pointed leaflets. Their colour is a fairly light green, with veins and petioles that are more or less reddish in spring. In autumn, the entire foliage takes on a beautiful yellow to orange hue. The flowering is quite discreet and appears on mature subjects. It takes place from May to early July depending on the climate. It forms at the axils of the leaves, in the form of small inconspicuous cream-white inflorescences composed of very small fragrant flowers. The remarkable bark of the Chinese Mahogany is greyish in colour. It cracks and peels in long strips over the years. Its grey-pink wood contains a resin-scented aromatic principle. It is highly prized in cabinet-making. 

Toona sinensis is a relatively hardy species, capable of tolerating short frosts of around -12 to -15°C (10.4 to 5°F) once mature. Young specimens are more sensitive to harsh winters. It is preferable to adopt it in regions where winters are rather mild, and summers are sufficiently rainy. It will need protection from cold winds. Plant it alone or in the company of shrubs and perennials planted all around its base. For example, you can plant Japanese grasses, Carex, or Ophiopogons at its base. In autumn, the blue or purple stars of asters will complement the warm tones of its foliage. Its proximity to water sources is beneficial as long as the soil is not waterlogged, but well-drained.