Vietnam Conifers Conservation Status Review 2004

Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Duc To Luu, Philip Ian Thomas, Aljos Farjon, Leonid
Averyanov and Jacinto Regalado Jr.

In co-operation with
Paul Mathew, Sara Oldfield, Sheelagh O’Reilly,
Thomas Osborn and Steven Swan
Vietnam Conifers
CONSERVATION STATUS REVIEW 2004
Komarov
Botanical
Institute S P E C I E S S U R V I VA L C O M M I S S I O N
Map 1. Provinces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
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1. Dien Bien 2. Lai Chau 3. Son La 4. Lao Cai 5. Yen Bai 6. Ha Giang
7. Tuyen Quang 8. Cao Bang 9. Bac Can 10. Thai Nguyen 11. Lang Son 12. Quang Ninh
13. Phu Tho 14. Vinh Phuc 15. Bac Giang 16. Ha Tay 17. Ha Noi 18. Bac Ninh
19. Hoa Binh 20. Hung Yen 21. Hai Duong 22. Hai Phong 23. Ha Nam 24. Thai Binh
25. Ninh Binh 26. Nam Dinh 27. Thanh Hoa 28. Nghe An 29. Ha Tinh 30. Quang Binh
31. Quang Tri 32. Thua Thien Hue 33. Da Nang 34. Quang Nam 35. Quang Ngai 36. Kon Tum
37. Binh Dinh 38. Gia Lai 39. Phu Yen 40. Dac Lac 41. Dac Nong 42. Lam Dong
43. Khanh Hoa 44. Ninh Thuan 45. Binh Phuoc 46. Dong Nai 47. Binh Thuan 48. Tay Ninh
49. Binh Duong 50. Ho Chi Minh city 51. Long An 52. Ba Ria-Vung Tau 53. Dong Thap 54. Tien Giang
55. An Giang 56. Hau Giang 57. Kien Giang 58. Vinh Long 59. Ben Tre 60. Can Tho
61. Tra Vinh 62. Soc Trang 63. Bac Lieu 64. Ca Mau
Vietnam Conifers:
Conservation Status Review 2004
Nguyen Tien Hiep1, Phan Ke Loc1, Nguyen Duc To Luu2, Philip Ian Thomas3, Aljos Farjon4,
Leonid Averyanov5 and Jacinto Regalado Jr.6
In co-operation with
Paul Mathew7, Sara Oldfield8, Sheelagh O’Reilly7, Thomas Osborn9 and Steven Swan7
Supported by
Darwin Initiative for the European Union

Survival of Species Programme on Tropical Forests and
Other Forests in Developing Countries
1 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources; 2 Central Forest Seed Company; 3

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; 4 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; 5 Komarov Botanical
Institute; 6 Missouri Botanical Garden; 7 Fauna & Flora International; 8 Global Trees
Campaign; 9 Independent Consultant.
The designation of geographical entities in this document, and the presentation of the material, does not
imply any expression on the part of the authors, contributers, or Fauna & Flora International, concerning
the legal status of any country, territory or area, its authorities or the delineation of its frontiers and
boundaries.
The opinions of the individual authors and contributers do not necessarily reflect the opinion of
Fauna & Flora International.
The authors, contributers and Fauna & Flora International take no responsibility for any
misrepresentation of material that may result from the translation of this document into any other
language.
Published by
Fauna & Flora International, Vietnam Programme
Copyright
© 2004 Fauna & Flora International
Reproduction of any part of this publication for educational, conservation and other non-profit purposes
is authorised without prior permission from the copyright holder, provided that the source is fully
acknowledged.
Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission
from the copyright holder.
Suggested citation
Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Duc To Luu, P.I. Thomas, A. Farjon, L. Averyanov & J. Regalado
Jr. (2004). Vietnam Conifers: Conservation Status Review 2004. Fauna & Flora International, Vietnam
Programme, Hanoi
ISBN
1 903703 16 6
Cover illustration
Fokienia in Che Tao Forest, Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province © Jeremy Holden/FFI
Cover design and Layout

Kimdo Design
Back Cover
1 2 3 1. Amentotaxus yunnanensis © Phan K. Loc 7. Nageia fleuryi © L. Averyanov

2. Keteleeria davidiana © L. Averyanov 8. Cupressus sp. © Nguyen D. To Luu
4 5 6
3. Xanthocyparis vietnamensis © L. Averyanov 9. Pseudotsuga sinensis © L. Averyanov
7 8 9 4. Fokienia hodginsii © L. Averyanov 10. Pinus kwangtungensis © L. Averyanov
5. Cephalotaxus mannii © L. Averyanov 11. Calocedrus macrolepis © Phan K. Loc
10 11 6. Podocarpus neriifolius © L. Averyanov
Available from
Fauna & Flora International,Vietnam Programme
IPO Box 78
340 Nghi Tam
Hanoi
VIETNAM
Tel: +84 (0)4 7194117; Fax: +84 (0)4 719 4119
E-mail: hlsp_project@hn.vnn.vn
vietnam@ffi.org.vn
NHAØ XUAÁT BAÛN LAO ÑOÄNG XAÕ HOÄI

Giaáy pheùp Xuaát baûn soá 89-85/XB-QLXB maõ soá 89-172/15-12 caáp ngaøy 16/3/2005.
Contents
Contents
Foreword ...................................................................................................... ix
Conventions Used ........................................................................................ xi
Abbreviations & Acronyms ....................................................................... xiii
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................... xv
Executive Summary .................................................................................. xvii
Part 1 – An Introduction to Vietnamese Conifers ............................. .... 1
1.1 Vietnamese conifers in a global context..................................................................... 4

1.2 Evolutionary aspects of Vietnamese conifers ........................................................... 6
1.3 Distribution and ecology of conifers in Vietnam ..................................................... 6
1.4 Value of conifers in Vietnam...................................................................................... 8
Part 2 – Conservation of Vietnamese Co nifers .................................. 11
2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 13

2.2 Existing policy and legal framework for conifer conservation in Vietnam............ 13
2.3 Conservation importance ......................................................................................... 16
2.4 Threats to conifers in Vietnam................................................................................. 18
2.5 General recommendations ....................................................................................... 20
Part 3 - Profiles of Vietn amese Conifer Species ................................. 31
CEPHALOTAXACEAE ....................................................................................................... 47
Cephalotaxus mannii............................................................................................................ 47
Descriptive diagram ............................................................................................................ 47
Distribution map for Vietnam ............................................................................................ 48
CUPRESSACEAE................................................................................................................. 49
Calocedrus macrolepis........................................................................................................... 49
Calocedrus rupestris .............................................................................................................. 51

Cunninghamia konishii ........................................................................................................ 53

Cupressus sp. ........................................................................................................................ 55

iii
Vietnam Conifers – Conservation Status Review 2004
Fokienia hodginsii ................................................................................................................. 57

Glyptostrobus pensilis............................................................................................................ 60
Taiwania cryptomerioides..................................................................................................... 63
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis.................................................................................................. 65
PINACEAE ........................................................................................................................... 67
Abies delavayi subsp. fansipanensis ..................................................................................... 67
Keteleeria davidiana ............................................................................................................. 69

Keteleeria evelyniana ............................................................................................................ 71

Pinus dalatensis..................................................................................................................... 73
Pinus kesiya........................................................................................................................... 75
Pinus krempfii....................................................................................................................... 77
Pinus kwangtungensis ........................................................................................................... 79

iv
Contents
Pinus latteri........................................................................................................................... 81
Pinus wangii.......................................................................................................................... 83
Pseudotsuga sinensis.............................................................................................................. 84
Tsuga chinensis ..................................................................................................................... 86

Tsuga dumosa ....................................................................................................................... 88

PODOCARPACEAE............................................................................................................ 90
Dacrycarpus imbricatus ........................................................................................................ 90
Dacrydium elatum ................................................................................................................ 92

Nageia fleuryi........................................................................................................................ 94
Nageia wallichiana ............................................................................................................... 96

Podocarpus neriifolius........................................................................................................... 98
Podocarpus pilgeri............................................................................................................... 100

Descriptive diagram .......................................................................................................... 100
Distribution map for Vietnam .......................................................................................... 101
TAXACEAE........................................................................................................................ 102
Amentotaxus argotaenia ..................................................................................................... 102
Amentotaxus hatuyenensis ................................................................................................. 104
v

Amentotaxus poilanei ......................................................................................................... 106

Amentotaxus yunnanensis .................................................................................................. 108

Taxus chinensis ................................................................................................................... 110

Taxus wallichiana............................................................................................................... 112

R e f e r e n c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Annexes
1 2001 (version 3.1) criteria for Critically Endangered, Endangered

and Vulnerable categories of the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species ............................................................................................................. 120
List of Boxes
Box 1 Indigenous Vietnamese conifer species and their existing and

revised threat statuses at global and national levels ..................................... xxiv
Box 2 Protected conifer species of Vietnam following national Decrees

18 and 48, together with proposed global and national
conservation statuses......................................................................................... 15
List Of Maps
Map 1 Provinces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam...............inside front cover

Map 2 Major distributions zones of Vietnamese conifers..................................... 6
List of Plates
Plate I Amentotaxus spp., Calocedrus macrolepis and Calocedrus rupestris......... 33
vi
Contents
Plate II Cephalotaxus manii .................................................................................... 34

Plate III Cunninghamia konishii and Cupressus sp. ................................................ 35
Plate IV Dacrycarpus imbricatus and Dacrydium elatum ....................................... 36
Plate V Fokienia hodginsii ....................................................................................... 37
Plate VI Keteleeria davidiana and Nageia fleuryi .................................................... 38
Plate VII Nageia wallichiana ..................................................................................... 39
Plate VIII Pinus dalatensis........................................................................................... 40
Plate IX Pinus krempfii and Pinus kwangtungensis ................................................. 41
Plate X Podocarpus neriifolius and Podocarpus pilgeri........................................... 42
Plate XI Pseudotsuga sinensis.................................................................................... 43
Plate XII Taiwania cryptomerioides, Taxus chinensis and Taxus wallichiana ......... 44
Plate XIII Tsuga chinensis and Xanthocyparis vietnamensis ...................................... 45
List of Tables
Table 1 10 Priority Species for Conservation Action ........................................... xix

Table 2 Vietnamese conifer flora in a global context .............................................. 5
Table 3 Contributions the 2004 Vietnam Conifer Conservation Status
Review makes to the Global Plant Strategy for Plant Conservation
of the Convention on Biological Diversity ...............................................16
Table 4 Simplified overview of thresholds for the IUCN Red List Criteria ...... 120
vii
viii
Foreword
The conifers are a natural (monophyletic) group of plants with around 630 species and
with disproportionately high ecological and economical value. They occur on all continents
except Antarctica (where they are known from the fossil record) and in nearly all major
forest biomes, several of which are dominated by conifers. Although many species are
widespread with millions or even trillions of individual trees, at least 25% of all species are
threatened with extinction. New species and even new genera are still being discovered
from time to time in remote areas, adding to the list of rare and threatened conifers.
Conifers play a major role in forestry; the majority of sawn timbers in the world’s economy
come from conifers. In horticulture and amenity planting conifers play a similarly
important role, with many new cultivars being generated and registered each year.
The threats to the survival of conifers as species are manifold, but a few major facts and
trends can be highlighted. As is true for many other taxonomic groups, the number of
species tends to increase from the cool temperate zones towards the tropics. For conifers,
this means that the ‘hotspots’ are either in subtropical or in tropical zones, largely confined
to mountainous regions. Many of these areas coincide with high density of human
population, exploitation of natural resources such as timber, and potentially irreversible
alterations of ecosystems on which these conifers depend. Habitat loss or degradation is the
most frequently recurring factor in assessments of threat to conifers, if they are not
threatened downright by their very limited number of living individuals, as many species
are. Exploitation for valuable wood is a second important factor. Unlike the large scale
exploitation of some northern conifers, which if well managed at least have the potential to
regrow (renewable resource), many subtropical and tropical species are scarce to begin
with, grow slowly and thrive in relatively undisturbed forests only. Their harvest on a large
scale is unsustainable, but is becoming more pressing as demand and access to
international markets increase year on year.
In 1999, the Conifer Specialist Group of IUCN/SSC published its Status Survey and
Conservation Action Plan (Farjon & Page, 1999). It contains an assessment of the global
situation for conifers, including a Global Red List, as well as general recommendations for
conservation. In addition, several regional reports or conifer action plans were published in
it. The Conifer Action Plan formulated several recommendations. The first is, to continue
with the evaluation of the conservation status of conifers. Not all species were assessed and
several were still ‘data deficient’. The present report is an important contribution to that
aim, because now all Vietnamese conifers have been evaluated, both on a national and on a
global scale. Vietnam did not count as a conifer hotspot in the Conifer Action Plan of 1999,
but this current work has changed that. Vietnam is now recognised as one of 10 conifer
hotspots in the world. Another recommendation was to integrate in situ and ex situ
conservation. The work outlined in this book demonstrates, that Vietnam is now in the
forefront of this integrated effort to conserve its conifers.
At the time of compiling the Conifer Action Plan, I remember that one of the things the
IUCN most wanted us to do was to persuade people and organisations in the conifer
hotspots to compile and engage in regional action plans for conifers. The contributions in
the Conifer Action Plan were the result. It was not easy. Most contributions represent first
ix
beginnings, and are far from complete. For many major hotspot areas we could not get the
people, few as they are in the membership of the Conifer Specialist Group, to start a
regional report. It is therefore doubly encouraging to see this book on the conifers of
Vietnam and their conservation coming to fruition. It is a very substantial step towards a
complete, functioning Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for the Conifers of
Vietnam. Here, too, Vietnam suddenly finds itself in the forefront of conifer conservation
developments. I very much hope that it will eventually lead to successful conservation in
the wild of Vietnam’s remarkable diversity of conifers.
Aljos Farjon FLS
Chairman, IUCN/SSC Conifer Specialist Group,

Conifer taxonomist,
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England
x
Conventions Used
Climate
All climatic data presented follows the Bioclimatic Diagrams of Vietnam (Nguyen Khanh
Van et al., 2000).
Ve g e t ation t yp es
Altitudinally zoned forest types follow the International Classification and Mapping of
Vegetation (UNESCO, 1973), with modified altitudinal ranges as accepted by the National
Atlas of Vietnam (Nguyen Van Chien, (ed.) 1997):
0 to 600-700 m amsl – lowland forest;

600-700 to 1500-1600 m amsl – submontane forest;
1500-1600 to 2600 m amsl – montane forest,
2600 to 3143 m amsl (the highest peak of Vietnam - Mt. Fan Si Pan) – subalpine forest.
Taxonomy
Conifer taxonomy follows the World Checklist and Bibliography of Conifers, 2nd edition
(Farjon, 2001) with modifications from the Conifers of Vietnam (Nguyen Duc To Luu &
Thomas, 2004). Notes on specific taxonomic issues are presented under relevant species
profile in Part III.
Citation of species authorities follows Authors of Plant Names (Brummitt & Powell, (eds.)
1992).
Conservation status
Global conservation status - follows the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN, 2004),
which (except for Amentotaxus hatuyenensis, A. poilanei and Xanthocyparis vietnamensis,
which have been assessed using IUCN 2001 criteria) presents assessments from version 2.3
of the red list, based on IUCN (1994) criteria. The global conservation status of a number
of Vietnamese conifer species has been recently reassessed by the IUCN-SSC Conifer
Specialist Group (CSG) (Farjon et al., 2004b) using IUCN (2001) criteria. These revisions
should be considered as provisional yet legitimate proposals to the IUCN (2004) Red List of
Threatened Species. Throughout this review, these proposed global assessments are
presented in square brackets [ ].
Existing national conservation status - follows the Vietnam Red Data Book Volume I: Plants
(Anon., 1996).
Proposed national conservation status – new CSG assessments, using IUCN (2001) criteria
are presented in this report.
Vietnamese Provincial Names – follow those shown in Map 1.
xi
xii
Abbreviations & Acronyms
BAP Biodiversity Action Plan
c. circa
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CEH Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
CFSC Central Forest Seed Company
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora
CRES Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies
CSG Conifer Specialist Group
DANIDA Danish International Development Agency
dbh diameter at breast height
DEFRA UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs
DFSC DANIDA Forest Seed Centre
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EU European Union
FDD Forest Development Department
FFI Fauna & Flora International
FIPI Forest Inventory and Planning Institute
FPD Forest Protection Department
FSIV Forest Science Institute of Vietnam
GoV Government of Vietnam
GSPC Global Strategy for Plant Conservation of the CBD
GTC Global Trees Campaign
IEBR Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources of the Vietnam Academy
of Science and Technology
IUCN The World Conservation Union
IUCN-SSC Species Survival Commission of the IUCN
KBI Komorov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
m amsl metres above mean sea level
MARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
MBG Missouri Botanical Garden
NP National Park
NR Nature Reserve
NTFP Non-Timber Forest Product
ODA Overseas Development Assistance
RBGE Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
RBGK Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
SFE State Forest Enterprise
sp. Species (singular)
spp. Species (plural)
subsp. Subspecies
SUF Special-use Forest
UK United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
xiii
UNEP-WCMC United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation

Monitoring Centre
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
USA United States of America
US $ United States Dollar
VAST Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (formerly the
National Centre for Science and Technology)
VND Vietnam Dong
VTSP Vietnam Tree Seed Programme
IUCN Conservation Status Categories
EW Extinct in the Wild

CR Critically Endangered
EN Endangered
VU Vulnerable
DD Data Deficient
NT Near Threatened
LC Least Concern
NE Not Evaluated
[] Indicates proposed revisions to the IUCN (2004) Red List of
Threatened Species based on recent assessments made by the IUCN-
SSC CSG using IUCN (2001) criteria (Farjon et al., 2004b).
Species Distribution Map Legend
• Record with voucher specimen

Record without voucher specimen
xiv
Acknowledgements
This review represents the outcome of extensive collaboration by scientists, research
institutions, government agencies and donor funded biodiversity conservation projects
from the European Union (EU), Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of
America (USA) and Vietnam. These scientists, their institutions, government agencies and
projects gratefully acknowledge funding from:
• The Darwin Initiative of the Department of Environment, Fisheries and Agriculture
(DEFRA, United Kingdom) which provided funding for two projects which facilitated
cooperation in the production of this publication:
o The first was the project ‘Preservation, rehabilitation and utilisation of Vietnamese
montane forests (162/10/017)’. That led to the production of the manual ‘Conifers
of Vietnam’ produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
(MARD, Vietnam), the Darwin Initiative of the Department of Environment,
Fisheries and Agriculture (DEFRA, United Kingdom), the Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh (RBGE), the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH, Scotland) and
the Central Forest Seed Company (CFSC). The team acknowledges the extensive
use of that publication as a basis for this Conservation Status Review.
o The second was the project ‘Community based conservation of Hoang Lien
Mountain Ecosystem, Vietnam’ (162/10/011) undertaken by FFI Vietnam with Lao
Cai Forest Protection Department and the Global Trees Campaign of FFI. This
facilitated fieldwork in Van Ban District, Lao Cai Province in relation to Taiwania
and work on Fokienia in the Hoang Lien Mountains of north-western Vietnam.
• Information on ex situ conservation and assessment of Pinus latteri is also compiled

from results of Vietnam Tree Seed Project supported by DANIDA.
• Data on conifers gathered from many years of fieldwork and herbarium studies that are
presented in this review by Leonid Averyanov, Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, and
Jacinto Regalado, Jr. were supported by grants from the US National Science
Foundation (grant #DEB-9870231), US National Geographic Society (grants #5094-93,
5803-96, 6383-98, 6300-98, 6733-00), American Orchid Society, San Diego County
Orchid Society Conservation Committee, Henry Luce Foundation, John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (grant #03-75920), International Cooperative
Biodiversity Group (NIH grant #1-UO1-TW01015-01), Fauna & Flora International
Vietnam Programme, and the Basic Research Program in Natural Science of Vietnam
(grants # 6.110.01, 6.128.04).
• The European Union funding for the project ‘Community-based conservation of the
Hoang Lien Son Mountain Ecosystem’ (Contract No. AIDCO/B7-6200/01/34/TF)
managed by FFI Vietnam in conjunction with the Forest Protection Departments of
Lao Cai, Son La and Yen Bai Provinces as well as the Hoang Lien NP which has
provided the platform for the production of this publication.
xv
The co-ordination of this work would not have been possible across continents, time zones
as well as professional disciplines without the invaluable input of the Global Trees
Campaign managed by FFI from Cambridge, UK. This input has been supported by British
American Tobacco both for field work in Lao Cai Province and for the production and
translation of this review. The production team are extremely grateful to Aljos Farjon,
Chairman of the World Conservation Union – Species Survival Commission (IUCN-SSC)
Conifer Specialist Group (CSG) and Conifer taxonomist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
for the additional taxonomic discussion and foreword of this review.
Lastly, but by no means least much of the extensive field work necessary for the collection
of data for this Conifer Status Review would not have been possible without the support of
Provincial and District authorities in Vietnam and the invaluable assistance and warm
welcome teams have received from local people throughout the country. The interest
shown by local people in the fieldwork gives a strong indication that the inclusion of these
people in the management of the long-term conservation of conifers in Vietnam will lead
to successful outcomes for many trees.
xvi
Executive Summary
1 2
3 1. Mature Taiwania cryptomerioides in Van Ban District,

Lao Cai Province. Copyright Nguyen An Toan /FFI
4
2-5. Mapping of Taiwania in Van Ban District, Lao Cai
Province. Copyright Nguyen An Toan /FFI
5
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Conservation Status Of Vietnamese Conifers
• Over 40 % (14/33) of Vietnam’s indigenous conifer species are listed as globally

threatened.
• Nearly 90 % (29/33) of the species that constitute Vietnam’s conifer flora have been
assessed as threatened at the national level.
• Box 1 summarises existing and proposed conservation statuses of all Vietnam’s
indigenous conifer species.
• Vietnam qualifies as one of the top 10 global conifer conservation ‘hotspots’, as defined
by the IUCN Conifer Conservation Action Plan.
• Only two conifer taxa in Vietnam are currently not listed as threatened or near-
threatened due to uncertainties of taxonomic identity; one, Cupressus sp., may already
be extinct in the wild before its specific identity has been determined.
• Table 1 gives a list of 10 priority species for conservation action.
Table 1 10 Priority Species of Vietnamese Conifer for Conservation Action
Species Conservation Status Justification

Global Proposed
National
Glyptostrobus DD CR Monotypic genus with high scientific importance – remaining
pensilis [EN] populations have a very high probability of extinction due to small size
and vulnerability of habitats and lack of regeneration.
Taiwania VU CR Monotypic genus with high scientific importance; critical state of only
cryptomerioides known stand; high timber value with potential use in montane forestry
Xanthocyparis CR CR Endemic with high scientific importance
vietnamensis
Fokienia NT EN Monotypic genus with high economic, cultural and scientific value;
hodginsii over-exploitation may cause it to become critically endangered
Cunninghamia VU EN High timber value with potential use in montane forestry
konishii
Pinus latteri NT EN High forestry and NTFP value
Cupressus sp. NE DD High timber and NTFP value; has potential for localised sustainable use
for income generation for local people through incense production
Calocedrus VU EN Highly threatened by overexploitation for their valuable timber and
macrolepis NTFPs
Calocedrus NE EN Highly threatened by overexploitation for their valuable timber and
rupestris [EN] NTFPs
Pinus krempfii VU VU Internationally renowned endemic species with high scientific value
Notes: Global conservation status follows IUCN (2004), with provisional revisions in square brackets [ ]
following Farjon et al. (2004b).
xix
Background
• The purpose of this review is to assist botanists, conservationists, natural resource
managers, decision and policy makers, and potential funding agencies in focusing
efforts and resources for the protection and sustainable use of conifers in Vietnam.
• In response to limited and scattered information, this document reviews all accessible
data on the conservation status of conifers indigenous to Vietnam.
• In a wider strategic context, this review uses conifers as ‘flagship species’ for the
protection of forest biodiversity in Vietnam.
• The review is organised into three parts: Part 1 – An Introduction to Vietnamese

Conifers; Part 2 – Conservation of Vietnamese Conifers; and Part 3 – Profiles of
Vietnamese Conifer Species.
• This review is the result of an international collaboration between world and national
authorities on botany and conservation.
• This publication is an addition to the existing series of Vietnamese conservation status

reviews already produced by Fauna & Flora International and its partners for: gibbons,
leaf monkeys and elephants.
Introduction To Vietnamese Conifers

• 33 species of conifer are recognised as indigenous to Vietnam.
• In recent years, the Vietnamese coniferous flora has been expanded by a number of new
records for the country together with discoveries of a number of new species for
science.
• The biogeography of the Vietnamese coniferous fauna is characterised by three distinct

elements: ancient relictual taxa in the climatic refugia of the country’s mountainous
areas; endemic species, representing approximately one quarter of the flora; and
tropical podocarps, with their origins in the southern hemisphere.
• Conifers in Vietnam are distributed in four main, upland, areas: 1) the north-west; 2)
the Hoang Lien Mountains; 3) limestone mountains of north and north-east Vietnam;
4) the Central Highlands (see Map 2 for details).
• A number of values of Vietnamese conifers are identified and briefly introduced,

including ecological, commercial, subsistence and cultural. The conservation value of
Vietnamese conifers is discussed in more detail in section 2.3.
xx
Executive Summary
Conservation Of Vietnamese Conifers
• The conservation of Vietnamese Conifers is discussed in the context of national and

international policy and legal frameworks.
• The Vietnam Conifer Conservation Status Review 2004, and the actions proposed
therein, makes significant contributions to national and international biodiversity
conservation commitments made by the Government of Vietnam, including the
national Biodiversity Action Plan, the Convention on Biological Diversity and its
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, and the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• The substantial and varied threats to the conifers of Vietnam are presented and
include: unsustainable levels of commercial and subsistence logging, non-timber
product exploitation, fire, agricultural encroachment, infrastructure
development, hybridisation with introduced exotic species, together with genetic
and reproductive problems inherent to small, fragmented populations of
ecologically stressed trees.
Recommendations
• The review highlights the threats faced by Vietnamese conifers and provides generic
(section 2.3) and specific recommendations (Part 3) to remove or significantly reduce
these threats.
• Conservation actions should be guided by status assessment-based prioritisation of

conifer species in Vietnam presented in this review (see Table 1).
• Recommendations for Research and Information Management:

i. Conduct further surveys in order to ascertain comprehensive distributions for
taxa, population sizes and continually assess conservation status;
ii. Establish a national conifer specialist group for regular monitoring of conifer
conservation status in Vietnam;
iii. Develop training modules on collection of specimens for identification by
specialists for Forest Protection Department staff at province and district level;
iv. Disseminate recent research findings on location and management of conifers in
Vietnam through particular use of computer information technologies;
v. Resolve issues of conifer taxonomy through collaboration between national
conifer specialist group and international experts;
vi. Conduct further ecological research of the 10 species for priority action (see
Table 1) to support both in- and ex situ conservation interventions.
xxi
• Recommendations for Capacity Building and Awareness Raising

i. Develop a technical training programme and materials for staff of relevant
government agencies at all levels on conifer specimen collection, identification and
conservation;
ii. Develop awareness-raising programmes targeting stakeholders at different
levels within government agencies;
iii. Raise awareness of conifer conservation issues, using appropriate media,
among local communities living near (and using) important populations of
threatened species;
iv. Promote active involvement of local communities in conifer conservation projects.
• Recommendations for National Policy and Legislation Development
i. Update national legislation in line with revised conservation statuses presented
in this review;
ii. Develop new legislation prohibiting large-scale commercial logging, and tightly
controlling local subsistence logging, of threatened conifer species;
iii. Conduct research into the national and international trade of conifer
timbers in order to provide recommendations for inclusion in relevant national
and international legislation, including CITES.
• Recommendations for National Legislation Implementation and Enforcement
i. Through co-ordination of Provincial People’s Committees, ensure effective co-
operation between relevant government agencies to prioritise and integrate
forest protection across all sectors;
ii. Enforce forest protection laws through relevant state agencies staffed by
adequately informed, trained, motivated and appropriately paid staff;
iii. Check transportation of illegally processed and unprocessed conifer products at
guard posts on protected and special-use forest access points;
iv. Patrol and monitor areas of high importance for conifer conservation, either by
regular Forest Protection Department (FPD) staff, and/or local community-based
monitoring groups as extensions of FPD operations.
• Recommendations for Protected Area Development and Management
i. Develop new protected areas, including state-run and collaboratively managed
special-use forests, together with community managed areas, for priority conifer
species with restricted distributions;
ii. Build capacity of protected area staff in general adaptive management planning
for sites with important populations of priority species;
• Recommendations for State Forest Enterprise Restructuring and Management
i. Mainstream conifer conservation into restructuring of State Forest Enterprises
(SFE).
xxii
Executive Summary
• Recommendations for Sustainable Use

i. Study the economics of different types of plantation programmes to assess
which species are suitable for sustainable use and how benefits should be shared
among investing stakeholders;
ii. Develop timber certification schemes with identified producers and processors;
iii. Assess new, and develop existing markets for, sustainable use of non-timber
conifer products in relation to market value and input into local livelihoods.
iv. Link development of conifers for sustainable use to valid land allocation to local
communities and households.
• Recommendations for integrating rural livelihood development with conifer
conservation
i. Develop silvicultural practices for community-managed sites that integrate
conifer conservation, watershed management and rural livelihood development;
ii. Conduct participatory socio-economic research in areas where threats to
conifers are particularly high to highlight issues regarding demographics, poverty,
education, traditional cultural practices, land use patterns, crop structures, forest
dependence and conifer use where appropriate;
iii. Mainstream conifer conservation into rural development projects where
appropriate;
iv. Conduct, and act on the recommendations provided by, Environmental Impact
Assessments for infrastructure development in areas where conifer
conservation is an identified priority.
v. Facilitate the development of small-medium sized processing/craft
enterprises in remoter areas that can utilise the products from well managed, and
if necessary certified, plantations under local sustainable management regimes.
• Recommendations for Ex situ Propagation
i. Promote research on vegetative and reproductive silviculture and propagation
for conifer species that display limited natural regeneration;
ii. Assess potential of cultivated conifers for new timber, non-timber and
ornamental tree markets.
• Recommendation for Living Gene Banks
i. Identify, and strictly protect, indigenous tree seed sources, particularly for
conifers with possible commercial potential, as part of both in- and ex situ
conservation programmes.
xxiii
Box
Box
1 1Indigenous Vietnamese
Indigenous conifer
Vietnamese species
conifer and
species their
and existing
their and
existing revised
and conservation
revised statuses
conservation at global
statuses and
at global national
and levels
national levels
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
xx
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
xxiv
SPECIES
SPECIES
FAMILY/SPECIES
FAMILY/SPECIES GLOBAL
GLOBAL EXISTING NATIONAL
EXISTING NATIONAL PROPOSED NATIONAL
PROPOSED NATIONAL PROFILE/PLATE
PROFILE/PLATE
(page
(page
no.)no.)
science.
CEPHALOTAXACEAE
CEPHALOTAXACEAE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE 1 VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
Cephalotaxus mannii
Cephalotaxus mannii RARE
RARE1 47 /4734/ 34
A2cd B1ab(i-v), B2ab(i-v),
Background
A1dA1d A2cd B1ab(i-v), B2ab(i-v),

C1 C1
CUPRESSACEAE
CUPRESSACEAE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
Calocedrus macrolepis
Calocedrus macrolepis ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED 49 /4933/ 33
B1+2b
B1+2b A2acd, A3cd,
A2acd, B2ab(i-v)
A3cd, C2a(i)
B2ab(i-v) C2a(i)
NOTNOTEVALUATED
EVALUATED
ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
Calocedrus rupestris
Calocedrus rupestris [ENDANGERED
[ENDANGERED NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED 51 /5133/ 33

A2cd,

A2cd,
C1 C1
A2cd,
A2cd,
C1]C1]
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
Cunninghamia konishii
Cunninghamia konishii RARE
RARE 53 /5335/ 35
A1cA1c A2c, B2ab(i-v)
A2c, B2ab(i-v)
2 2
Cupressus
Cupressus
sp. sp. NOTNOTEVALUATED
EVALUATED RARE
RARE DATA DEFICIENT
DATA DEFICIENT 55 /5535/ 35
ENDANGERED

ENDANGERED
Fokienia hodginsii
Fokienia hodginsii NEAR-THREATENED
NEAR-THREATENED INSUFFICIENTLY KNOWN
INSUFFICIENTLY KNOWN 57 /5737/ 37
A2cd
A2cd
DATA
DATADEFICIENT
DEFICIENT
CRITICALLY
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
Glyptostrobus pensilis
Glyptostrobus pensilis [ENDANGERED
[ENDANGERED ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED 60 /NA
60 /NA

A2c, B1ab(i-v),
A2c, B2ab(i-v)
B1ab(i-v), B2ab(i-v)
C1 C1
B1ab(i,iv), B2ab
B1ab(i,iv), (i,iv),
B2ab (i,iv),
D] D]

VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED
Taiwania cryptomerioides
Taiwania cryptomerioides NOT EVALUATED
A1dA1d A2c, B1ab(i-v),
A2c, B2ab(i-v),
B1ab(i-v), C2a(ii)
B2ab(i-v), C2a(ii)
CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED
B2ab(v)
B2ab(v) CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis NOT EVALUATED

33 species of conifer are recognised as indigenous to Vietnam.
[CRITICALLY
[CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED B1ab(ii-v), 2ab(ii-v)
B1ab(ii-v), 2ab(ii-v)
B1ab(ii-v), 2ab(ii-v)]
B1ab(ii-v), 2ab(ii-v)]

PINACEAE
PINACEAE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
Abies delavayi
Abies delavayi LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN RARE
RARE 67 /67NA
/ NA
D1 D1
ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
Keteleeria davidiana
Keteleeria davidiana LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED 69 /6938/ 38
A2cd, B1ab(iii),
A2cd, B2ab(ii),
B1ab(iii), B2ab(ii),
D D
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
Keteleeria evelyniana
Keteleeria evelyniana LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE 71 /71NA
/ NA
A2cd
A2cd
In response to limited and scattered information, this document reviews all accessible
The purpose of this review is to assist botanists, conservationists, natural resource
This review is the result of an international collaboration between world and national

Conifers in Vietnam are distributed in four main, upland, areas: 1) the north-west; 2)
The review is organised into three parts: Part 1 – An Introduction to Vietnamese
In recent years, the Vietnamese coniferous flora has been expanded by a number of new
A number of values of Vietnamese conifers are identified and briefly introduced,

In a wider strategic context, this review uses conifers as ‘flagship species’ for the
This publication is an addition to the existing series of Vietnamese conservation status
The biogeography of the Vietnamese coniferous fauna is characterised by three distinct

VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
Pinus dalatensis
Pinus dalatensis RARE
RARE 73 /7340/ 40
B1+2c
B1+2c B1ab(iii,v), 2ab(iii,v)
B1ab(iii,v), 2ab(iii,v)
Pinus kesiya
Pinus kesiya NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN 75 /75NA
/ NA
Executive Summary
Conservation Of Vietnamese Conifers

PROFILE/PLATE
(page no.)
SPECIES
100 / 42
102 / 33
104 / 33
81 / NA
88 / NA
83 /NA
98 / 42
77 / 41
79 / 41
84 / 43
86 / 45
90 / 36
92 / 36
94 / 36
96 / 39
� The conservation of Vietnamese Conifers is discussed in the context of national and
international policy and legal frameworks.
� The Vietnam Conifer Conservation Status Review 2004, and the actions proposed
therein, makes significant contributions to national and international biodiversity
conservation commitments made by the Government of Vietnam, including the
A2ac, B1ab(iii,v), B2ab(iii, v), C1,

A2ac, B1ab(iii,v), B2ab(iii,v), C1,
PROPOSED NATIONAL
national Biodiversity Action Plan, the Convention on Biological Diversity and its
A3c, B1ab(iii), B2ab(iii), D2

Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, and the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
B1ab(i-iii), 2ab(i-iii)
DATA DEFICIENT
LEAST CONCERN
� The substantial and varied threats to the conifers of Vietnam are presented and
ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
A2c, B1ab(i-v)
include: unsustainable levels of commercial and subsistence logging, non-timber
A2acd, C1
product exploitation, fire, agricultural encroachment, infrastructure
B1ab(iii)
development, hybridisation with introduced exotic species, together with genetic
C2a(i)
C2a(i)
A2acd
A2cd
A2cd
A2cd
A2ac
and reproductive problems inherent to small, fragmented populations of
C1
ecologically stressed trees.

CONSERVATION STATUS
EXISTING NATIONAL
Recommendations
PODOCARPACEAE
NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED
NOT EVALUATED
TAXACEAE
� The review highlights the threats faced by Vietnamese conifers and provides generic VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
(section 2.3) and specific recommendations (Part 3) to remove or significantly reduce

these threats.
RARE
RARE
RARE
RARE
RARE
� Conservation actions should be guided by status assessment-based prioritisation of
conifer species in Vietnam presented in this review (see Table 1).
� Recommendations for Research and Information Management:

NEAR-THREATENED3

NEAR-THREATENED
GLOBAL
B1ab(i-iii), 2ab(i-iii)]
taxa, population sizes and continually assess conservation status;

NOT EVALUATED
DATA DEFICIENT
LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN
LEAST CONCERN
ENDANGERED
ENDANGERED
[VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
ii. Establish a national conifer specialist group for regular monitoring of conifer
conservation status in Vietnam;
B1+2bd
iii. Develop training modules on collection of specimens for identification by

B1+2c
B1+2c
A1c
A2c
specialists for Forest Protection Department staff at province and district level;
iv. Disseminate recent research findings on location and management of conifers in
Vietnam through particular use of computer information technologies;
Amentotaxus hatuyenensis
FAMILY/SPECIES
Amentotaxus argotaenia
Dacrycarpus imbricatus
v. Resolve issues of conifer taxonomy through collaboration between national

Podocarpus neriifolius
Pinus kwangtungensis
Pseudotsuga sinensis
conifer specialist group and international experts;

Nageia wallichiana
Dacrydium elatum
Podocarpus pilgeri
Tsuga chinensis
Pinus krempfii
vi. Conduct further ecological research of the 10 species for priority action (see
Tsuga dumosa
Nageia fleuryi
Pinus wangii
Pinus latteri
Table 1) to support both in- and ex situ conservation interventions.
xxvxxi
Global conservation status: follows IUCN (2004), which, (except for Amentotaxus hatuyenensis, A. poilanei and Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, which have been assessed using IUCN
Specialist Group (CSG) (Farjon et al., 2004b) using IUCN (2001) criteria (See Annex 1). As such, these reassessments should be considered as legitimate, yet provisional,
2001 criteria), provides conservation statuses based on IUCN (1994) criteria. Statuses presented in square brackets [ ] are recent revisions made by the IUCN-SSC Conifer
Existing national conservation status: follows Vietnam Red Data Book for plants (Anon., 1996). Vietnamese threat status categories approximate to those of IUCN as follows –
‘Endangered’ = Critically Endangered and Endangered; ‘Vulnerable’ = Vulnerable; ‘Rare’ = no IUCN equivalent; ‘Threatened’ = Near-threatened; ‘Insufficiently Known’ = Data
Background
Proposed national conservation statuses: comprise comprehensive re-assessments made during the compilation of this report for species indigenous to Vietnam using
PROFILE/PLATE
(page no.)
� The purpose of this review is to assist botanists, conservationists, natural resource
SPECIES
106 / 33
108 / 33
110 / 44
112 / 44
� In response to limited and scattered information, this document reviews all accessible
�
PROPOSED NATIONAL
In a wider strategic context, this review uses conifers as ‘flagship species’ for the
Deficient. Note that existing Vietnamese conservation status assessments do not use IUCN conservation status assessment criteria.
A2ac, B2a(i-v),b(i-v).
� The review is organised into three parts: Part 1 – An Introduction to Vietnamese

ENDANGERED
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
VULNERABLE
Taxonomic issues: 1. assessed as Cephalotaxus hainanensis; 2. assessed as Cupressus funebris; 3. assessed as Pinus fenzeliana.

B1ab(i-v)
� This review is the result of an international collaboration between world and national
D1
C1
� This publication is an addition to the existing series of Vietnamese conservation status

CONSERVATION STATUS
EXISTING NATIONAL

THREATENED
THREATENED
� 33 species of conifer are recognised as indigenous to Vietnam.

RARE
RARE
� In recent years, the Vietnamese coniferous flora has been expanded by a number of new
science.
� The biogeography of the Vietnamese coniferous fauna is characterised by three distinct

proposals to the IUCN (2004) Red List of Threatened Species.
GLOBAL
[LEAST CONCERN]
[LEAST CONCERN]
NOT EVALUATED
DATA DEFICIENT

ENDANGERED
VULNERABLE
� Conifers in Vietnam are distributed in four main, upland, areas: 1) the north-west; 2)
A2c
A1c

IUCN (2001) criteria (see Annex 1).
� A number of values of Vietnamese conifers are identified and briefly introduced,

Amentotaxus yunnanensis
FAMILY/SPECIES

Amentotaxus poilanei
NA = not available
Taxus wallichiana
Taxus chinensis
Notes
xxvi
xx
An In tr od uc tion to Viet name se Conife rs
Part 1
1. HMong people constructing house using planks made from
Fokienia. Copyright: Jeremy Holden /FFI
1 2. Newly cut and planked Taiwania. Copyright: Nguyen An Toan /FFI
3. Villagers in Phinh Ngai examining Taiwania seedlings on arrival in

2 village by horse. Copyright: Nguyen An Toan /FFI
3 4. Taiwania seedlings boxed up for transport by horse to Phinh Ngai

village. Copyright: Nguyen An Toan /FFI
4
Part 1: An Introduction to Vietnamese Conifers
Part 1: An Introduction to Vietnamese

Conifers
In countries such as Vietnam there is often a scarcity of information available to scientists
and biodiversity conservation managers about the status of important species and
ecosystems. FFI Vietnam has in cooperation with a range of partners taken up the challenge
of collating, synthesising and publishing a number of ‘Conservation Status Reviews’ for
Vietnam. To date published reviews include Gibbons (Geissmann et al., 2000), Leaf
Monkeys (Nadler et al., 2003) and now Conifers in Vietnam. The status review of Elephants
in Vietnam is in preparation.
FFI Vietnam, with its project partners in Lao Cai, Son La and Yen Bai Forest Protection
Departments have, through the funding from the EU for the Community-based conservation
of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Ecosystem project, a remit to improve the dissemination of
knowledge for biodiversity conservation. One of the project’s main goals is to develop
approaches to livelihood development that assist in poverty reduction and biodiversity
conservation within appropriate cultural frameworks. Conifers in the mountains of
Vietnam are important ecologically, culturally and economically. However, the knowledge
necessary for the development of effective in situ conservation, both inside and outside
formal protected areas is limited. In addition the potential for ex situ conservation
approaches to assist local livelihood development has barely been explored. The HLSP
therefore has been able to provide a platform to enable the production of this conservation
status review for Vietnam’s conifers. The provision of good quality information is the key
to the development of effective management strategies for conifer management. This
review also highlights that the possible threats posed by inappropriate local use (often
caused by poverty as well as lack of knowledge) as well as unsustainable and often illegal use
by a range of commercial agencies can, if properly managed be used to advantage. The
possible long-term economic benefits of valuable indigenous tree cultivation are
highlighted, as well as the need to retain, and expand the native populations as important
seed sources and genetic material for the future. In addition the cultural importance of
many conifers in the lives of ethnic minorities, as well as the majority population in
Vietnam, make conservation of these beautiful trees an important duty for Vietnam.
As indicated in the Foreword by Aljos Farjon, Chairman, IUCN/SSC Conifer Specialist

Group, Vietnam is a global conservation hotspot for conifer species. In total 33 indigenous
conifer species occur within the country. Twenty-two of these are globally threatened and
eight other species are threatened at a national level. This report highlights the unique and
valuable conifer species that occur in Vietnam and sets out the priority actions required for
conservation of the globally and nationally threatened taxa. Part 1 of this report provides an
overview of Vietnamese conifers, with a discussion on their taxonomy, distribution and
values. Conservation of the threatened species is discussed in Part 2. The conservation
actions proposed will help to ensure the long term survival of the species and their habitats
and will contribute to the livelihoods of rural people who utilise these important trees in a
variety of ways. In Part 3, profiles are given for each of Vietnam’s native conifers that are of
conservation importance.
3
Information presented in this report draws on the expertise of, and recent studies
undertaken by, many organisations and individuals. It has involved the collaboration of
scientific and conservation staff from the Vietnamese Institute of Ecology and Biological
Resources (IEBR); the Vietnam Central Forest Seed Company (CFSC); the Komarov
Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (KBI), the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew (RBGK); The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and its International Conifer
Conservation Programme; Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG); IUCN-SSC Conifer
Specialist Group (CSG); Fauna and Flora International Vietnam Conservation Support
Programme including the Hoang Lien Son Project and the Global Trees Campaign (GTC).
The conservation actions proposed in this report will contribute to the implementation of
Vietnam’s national biodiversity policy and to major international conservation agreements
to which Vietnam is signatory – including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In particular,
they will help Vietnam to fulfil its requirements under the Convention on Biological
Diversity with regard to the conservation of forest resources and plant species.
Vietnam has recognised that appropriate forest land management can contribute to
biodiversity conservation and to attempts to reduce poverty and develop sustainable
livelihoods for people living in remote rural areas. In order to achieve this Vietnam needs
to develop partnerships to achieve sustainable forest management. These partnerships, such
as those developed for this publication, need to include local, national and international
experts, Governments, international donors as well as local communities and commercial
interests (private as well as State owned).
The conifers of Vietnam are national and global flagships for the conservation of forest and
tree biodiversity. The organisations involved in producing this report are committed to
supporting their long-term conservation.
1.1 Vietnamese conifers in a global context
The World Checklist and Bibliography of Conifers (Farjon, 2001) recognises a worldwide
total of 630 species from 69 genera, of which 28 species are noted to occur in Vietnam.
More recent work (Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas, 2004; Nguyen Tien Hiep et al., 2004)
lists 29-33 indigenous species from 19 genera in Vietnam. Globally, this represents 5 % of
the world’s known species and nearly one third of known genera. Table 2 presents an
updated comparison of global and Vietnamese conifer floras. In collating all available
information on Vietnamese conifers, this review confirms 32 species to be indigenous to
the country, with a thirty third species, Pinus wangii provisionally included in the nation’s
flora. Box 1 (page xxiv) lists all 33 species and provides a summary of their existing and
revised conservation statuses (at both global and national level) that are a result of this
review.
4
Table 2 Vietnamese conifer flora in a global context
GLOBAL CONIFER FLORA VIETNAMESE CONIFER FLORA

FAMILY Endemic
Genera Species Genera Species
species
Araucariaceae 3 41 0 0 0
Cephalotaxaceae 1 5-11 1 1 0
Cupressaceae 30 135 7 8 2
Phyllocladaceae 1 4 0 0 0
1
Pinaceae 11 225 5 12 1 [2 ]
2
Podocarpaceae 18 190 4 6 [1-3 ]
Sciadopityaceae 1 1 0 0 0
Taxaceae 5 23 2 6 2
TOTAL 70 624-630 19 33 5 [9]
Notes
Vietnamese endemic species: 1. a new species of undescribed, and potentially endemic species of pine, which is
not included in this review, has recently been found in Vietnam (Nguyen Tien Hiep et al., 2004); 2. there is
some uncertainty about the number of species of Podocarpaceae in northern Vietnam – there may be up to
three undescribed species, which may also be endemic.
The global significance of Vietnamese conifers is indicated in several ways. New discoveries
in recent years have added interesting conifers to the Flora of Vietnam: Pinus
kwangtungensis (Phan Ke Loc, 1984), Amentotaxus hatuyenensis (Nguyen Tien Hiep &
Vidal, 1996), Pseudotsuga sinensis and Tsuga chinensis (Nguyen Tien Hiep et al., 2000),
Keteleeria davidiana (Phan Ke Loc et al., 2002), Calocedrus rupestris (Averyanov et al., in
press). In 1999 a cupressaceous conifer of unknown affinity was found in Ha Giang
Province. This was subsequently described as a new genus and species Xanthocyparis
vietnamensis (Farjon et al., 2002). In 2001 a small population totalling around 100 trees of
the monotypic genus Taiwania cryptomerioides was found in Lao Cai Province (Nguyen
Tien Hiep et al., 2002). Previously this genus was only known from natural forest stands in
Taiwan, Yunnan and north-east Myanmar. Although known in Vietnam by French
botanists since 1955, the two small populations of Glyptostrobus pensilis, totalling less than
250 trees, in Dac Lac Province may be one of the few remaining natural stands of this
monotypic genus, which is also known from (mostly planted) stands in southern China.
Glyptostrobus is known from the fossil record since the Cretaceous and had a wide
distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. Extensive populations of Cunninghamia
konishii (Phan Ke Loc & Nguyen Tien Hiep, 1999), another ancient genus with only two
species, have been found in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An Provinces and the adjoining areas of
Laos. Four out of the six known species of Amentotaxus are found in Vietnam - two of these
are localised endemics (A. poilanei and A. hatuyenensis) and the main populations of the
other two species are also in Vietnam (A. argotaenia and A. yunnanensis). One of the most
interesting species of pine, Pinus krempfii, is also a localised endemic with a restricted
distribution in the southern part of the Central Highlands (Farjon et al., 2004a). Pinus
dalatensis may also be endemic to Vietnam; reports from adjoining areas of Laos
(Greijmans, 2003) have not been verified from specimens. Several species with wider
distributions outside Vietnam are either at the northern or southern edge of their range or
are represented by disjunct populations.
5
1.2 Evolutionary aspects of Vietnamese conifers
The significance of Vietnamese conifers has been determined by the relative geological and
climatic stability of the South East Asian landmass over the last several million years
coupled with its present diverse topography and associated wide range of habitats. Europe,
North America and many parts of Asia have been directly affected by extensive glaciations,
geological upheavals (e.g. the formation of the Himalayas) and associated climatic changes,
particularly over the last million years. Overall, the climate became drier and cooler, and
many conifers that were adapted to warm, moist climates became extinct. However some
were able to migrate to more suitable areas such as south-west China and Vietnam.
Cunninghamia, Glyptostrobus, Taiwania and Amentotaxus are all examples of genera that
were previously much more widely dispersed. Vietnam’s longitudinal range (8o-24o), from
close to the equator to the subtropics, coupled with the altitudinal range of its major
mountain systems meant suitable habitats persisted and such species could survive. The
climatic changes across the northern hemisphere affected different groups of conifers in
different ways. Some became extinct or migrated into areas that still had a suitable climate,
while others evolved and were able to occupy different habitats in different climates.
Vietnamese pines provide examples of both strategies. Pinus krempfii is thought to be an
ancient relictual species without any close relatives while P. kesiya is more recently evolved
and has a range from north-east India to the Philippines. Vietnam’s proximity to the
tropics also meant that bird dispersed conifers from the southern family Podocarpaceae
were able to migrate northwards. The Vietnamese conifer flora contains an unusual mix of
conifers from both the southern and northern hemisphere (Nguyen Duc To Luu &
Thomas, 2004).
1.3 Distribution and ecology of conifers in Vietnam

Vietnamese conifers are found in four 104
0
108
0
112
0
main areas (see Map 2):

1
1/ North and north-east Vietnam: 22 0
2 22
0
(to the east of the Red River) the upper 3

ridges usually composed of highly
eroded solid crystalline white limestone
karst communities (500-1600 m amsl),
especially in Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, 18
0
18
0
Bac Can and Cao Bang Provinces,

contain the richest conifer assemblages
(up to 9-10 species) in Vietnam. In these
harsh environments, with little soil,
0
rapid drainage and periods of drought, 14
14
0
the conifers are able to out-compete 4

angiosperms and form the dominant
vegetation on the upper ridges. The
climate is monsoon tropical with rather
cold and dry winters and summer rains. 10
0
10
0
Several species are only found in this

area e.g. Xanthocyparis vietnamensis,
0 0 0
104 108 112
Major distribution zones of Vietnamese conifers
6
Tsuga chinensis, Pseudotsuga sinensis, Keteleeria davidiana, Cupressus sp. and Amentotaxus
hatuyenensis. Conifers such as Pinus kwangtungensis, Taxus chinensis, Calocedrus rupestris
and Amentotaxus argotaenia have been found also on isolated mountains to the west of the
Red River, away from the main limestone area in north and north-east Vietnam (e.g. Yen
Chau, Moc Chau, Hang Kia – Pa Co and Pu Luong). Members of the Pinaceae, generally
species that have their main distribution in China, are the most frequent in north and
northeast Vietnam, although Amentotaxus yunnanensis and Podocarpus pilgeri can be
locally common. Nageia fleuryi has a scattered distribution throughout the limestone areas
and rocky islands. Populations of almost all species are always small and scattered.
2/ Hoang Lien Son massif (primarily Lao Cai and Yen Bai Provinces):
composed of granite and other silicate rocks. The climate is generally very wet and cool,
with rainfall throughout the year. The natural forests of this area tend to be dominated by
northern temperate angiosperm families such as Fagaceae and Lauraceae. Fokienia hodginsii
is the most widespread conifer, forming large stands. Abies delavayi subsp. fansipanensis is
endemic to Mt Fan Si Pan (3143 m amsl) while Tsuga dumosa, a mainly Himalayan species,
occurs in small populations above 2400 m amsl. A single population of Taiwania
cryptomerioides has been found in Van Ban District – it may have been more widespread in
the past.
3/ North-west (Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and
Quang Binh Provinces):
In this part of Vietnam, altitudes tend to be lower than in the Hoang Lien, and the climate
is generally drier. On the silicate derived soils the most widespread conifer is Keteleeria
evelyniana, although in the more mountainous and wetter parts such as in Nghe An near
the Laos border, Fokienia hodginsii and Cunninghamia konishii can be found. The conifer
species composition on limestone area of this region is poorer and less diverse in
comparison with the one of the north and north-east. Calocedrus is also relatively widely
distributed in Son La towards the Laos border and Pinus latteri occurs in scattered
populations.
4/ Central Highlands:
composed of only granite and other silicate rocks. This is the second most diverse area for
conifers in Vietnam, especially on the Lam Vien plateau around Da Lat. The conifers are
strongly associated with changes in local climate. At lower altitudes (600-1600 m amsl) and
with lower rainfall, Pinus kesiya and P. latteri are more widespread with Keteleeria
evelyniana, Calocedrus macrolepis, Cephalotaxus mannii and Taxus wallichiana more rare
and restricted to moister sites. At higher altitudes (1600+ m amsl) Fokienia hodginsii, Pinus
dalatensis, P. krempfii and Dacrydium elatum can be found. Amentotaxus poilanei, the most
southern member of its genus, is restricted to the northern part of the Central Highlands
while Glyptostrobus pensilis is only found in two small populations in Dac Lac Province.
Conifers with tropical origins such as Nageia wallichiana, Podocarpus neriifolius and
Dacrycarpus imbricatus are distributed throughout the moister, mountainous areas of
Vietnam, usually on soils of volcanic origin, but sometimes become less common in the
north of the country.
7
1.4 Value of conifers in Vietnam
Conifers in Vietnam are of great ecological, economic and cultural importance.

Ecologically, conifer-dominant forests may define forest types and support a different and
varied biodiversity to broadleaved forests. Commercially, conifers are extensively used for
their high grade timber and high value non-timber products. And culturally, conifers are
often associated with spiritual wellbeing. They often have a significant role for local people
whose life largely depends on forest resources. The fate of conifers is always linked to
people’s livelihood in remote areas.
Ecological Value:
Conifers represent a group of the most important forest trees in Vietnam. They are often
found as dominant or emergent forest components. Large trees play an important role in
the formation of special forest habitats. Conifers provide food and shelter for many other
plants, birds, mammals, fungi and other organisms in the forest. Podocarps, especially
Dacrycarpus imbricatus, produce a great quantity of fleshy cones that are important source
of food for many forest animals (Nguyen Duc To Luu, unpublished data). Mycorrhyzal
mushrooms are a striking example of close ecological association of micro-organisms with
conifers. Many mushrooms growing in association with pine trees are edible, and are used
locally as well as having a great value on international markets (Ingleby et al., 2004).
Conifers display a particular adaptation to habitats where broadleaf trees cannot survive or
have fewer advantages in competition. Fokienia hodginsii, Taiwania cryptomerioides, Abies
delavayi subsp. fansipanensis, Tsuga dumosa, Pinus dalatensis and Pinus krempfii all form
special conifer forest types in the high mountains of Vietnam. A variety of conifers such as
Tsuga chinensis, Pseudotsuga sinensis, Pinus kwangtungensis, Xanthocyparis vietnamensis and
Calocedrus macrolepis are often the dominant trees on limestone ridges. The highland
conifers play a large role in soil conservation and water protection in mountainous areas.
Commercial value:
Throughout their distribution conifers are a major source of timber; their wood is
important for local subsistence use, in addition to national and international markets. The
national and international markets use conifer timber mainly for the production of
handicrafts and high value furniture, though local markets also use conifer timber
extensively for construction purposes. Fokienia hodginsii is a well-known example of such
precious timber in the domestic Vietnamese market, but is also traded abroad to Europe
and wealthier Asian territories (Osborn, 2004).
Besides timber, conifers provide many other important products. Pinus kesiya and P. latteri
are important commercial resin-producing pines, with P. latteri the main source of the
resin colophonium in Vietnam, which is utilised in the paint industry. Cypress wood is also
usually highly fragrant. Roots of Cupressus sp., Calocedrus macrolepis and Fokienia hodginsii
are used to make refined incense and essential oils that have high value in local (An Van
Bay, 2002) and international markets such as Europe and Japan.
Vietnam’s indigenous conifers are also highly valued as ornamental trees. In highland areas
they may be planted for street shading, e.g. Fokienia hodginsii in Sa Pa, or Keteleeria
8
evelyniana in Da Lat. Species that may be more tolerant of hotter tropical climates, such as
Pinus latteri, Podocarpus pilgeri, Taxus wallichiana and Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, may
have great potential for development as ornamental (often as precious bonsai) garden and
house plants in lowland cities.
Some Vietnamese conifers have applications in commercial medicine. Taxol from Taxus
spp. is a well-known example that is used in contempory medicine for the treatment of
cancers. Cephalotaxus mannii is used for both traditional and contemporary medicines in
parts of its range outside of Vietnam.
Wild conifer populations in remote areas provide an import genetic resource to reinforce
plantation programmes for widely used species such as Pinus latteri and Pinus kesiya
throughout Vietnam. Recent surveys in remote parts of Ky Son District in Nghe An
Province have identified superior provenances that have the potential to make a major
contribution to important reforestation programmes such as the 5 Million Hectare
Reforestation Programme (Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004).
While many Vietnamese conifers provide a current economic benefit, potential benefits are
much larger if ecological characteristics are further researched and methods are devised to
harvest products more sustainably.
Subsistence value:
In the Hoang Lien Mountains of north-west Vietnam many ethnic minority people
traditionally use wood of Fokienia hodginsii for constructing their houses, furniture and for
firewood. Cunninghamia konishii is used in a similar way in the areas where it is found.
Other species, such as Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, have very durable and insect resistant
timber that is used locally to make special coffins.
Vietnamese conifers are also sometimes used as local medicines. For example, the bark of
Pseudotsuga sinensis is traditionally used to treat rheumatism and to help women during
pregnancy; leaves of Nageia spp. are used by Dao people to cure coughs; and the
colophonium resin from Pinus latteri is used in traditional medicine to treat skin diseases
(Do Huy Bich et al., 2004).
Cultural value:
Conifers are not only of economic importance for the Vietnamese people, they are also a
part of Vietnam’s culture. In many temples, conifers such as Dacrydium elatum and
Calocedrus macrolepis are planted as symbols of long life and magic and pine forests are
romantic symbols of nobility. Conifers include possibly the oldest, largest and tallest living
things in Vietnam – Taiwania trees can attain ages of over 1,500 years (Farjon, 2002), and
Cunninghamia konishii trees can grow to nearly 3 m in diameter and 60 m in height
(Nguyen Ngoc Chinh & Chu Van Dung, 1997).
9
10
Con s er vation of Vie t name se Conife rs
Part 2
1 1. Forest protection rangers monitoring Fokienia hodginsii logging.
Copyright: Jeremy Holden /FFI
2. Hmong house roof made from Fokienia shingles. Copyright FFI

2
3. Transportation of Fokienia planks for house construction.
3 Copyright: Jeremy Holden /FFI
Part 2: Conservation of Vietnamese Conifers
Part 2 Conservation of Vietnamese

Conifers
2.1 Introduction
Vietnam has developed a policy and legal framework for biodiversity conservation and the
long-term conservation of conifer species can be developed in this context. National policies
have generally targeted macro issues such as general biodiversity, forest conservation and
protected area development. These approaches have, undoubtedly, been of assistance to
conifer conservation but it is clearly becoming imperative that both international and
national legislation, and national and donor projects, should now target conifers specifically
in order to protect an important part of the global biological heritage found in Vietnam.
Previously, only limited information on Vietnamese conifers has been available; however the
information compiled in this report should help to address the critical situation facing
Vietnamese conifers. In designing conservation action it is first necessary to analyse the
threats facing individual species. Based on such an analysis, general recommendations for the
conservation of Vietnamese conifers are made below. Individual species accounts with
conservation recommendations are presented in Part 3 ‘Profiles of Vietnamese Conifer Species.’
2.2 Existing policy and legal framework for conifer

conservation in Vietnam
During the last 12 years, the Government of Vietnam (GoV) has developed a number of
national biodiversity and forestry policies that set out the need for the conservation of rare and
threatened species. Several decrees, decisions and instructions have been passed through
national legislation aimed at increasing the protection and management of a number of
species1. Under one of these decrees, Decree 48, there are several conifer species whose
exploitation is strictly prohibited and several other conifer species whose exploitation is
2
restricted (see Box 2). A national programme for reforestation has been implemented and
3
guidelines on the management of natural forest have also been developed .
1 Including: Decree 18/1992/HDBT of the Council of Ministers, dated 17/1/1992, on Providing a list of Rare and
Precious Species of Flora and Fauna and Regulations for their Management and Protection; Prime Ministerial
Instruction 130/1993/TTg, dated 27/3/1993, on Protection and Management of Endangered Plant and Animal Species,
which repeated management issues on rare and precious species of flora and fauna of Decree 18/1992/HDBT; Prime
Ministerial Instruction 283/1993/TTg, dated 14/6/1993 on ‘The Management of Rare and Precious Woods That Are
Used In Illegal Exploitation and Export, Particularly Fokienia hodginsii; Decree 48/2002/ND-CP, dated 22/4/2002,
on Amending and Supplementing the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna and Regulations for their Management
and Protection, which updated the list of rare and precious flora and fauna attached to Decree 18/1992/HDBT; and
Official Dispatch 3399/2002/VPCP – NN of the Council of Ministers, dated 21/6/2002, on Amending the list of Rare and
Precious Species of Flora and Fauna Propagated in Decree 48.
2 Prime Ministerial Decision 661/1998/QD-TTg, dated 29/7/1998, on The Target, Task, Policy and Organization for
the Implementation of the Project of Planting Five Million New Hectares of Forest. (This programme aims at increasing
forest cover of Vietnam to 45 % by 2010. One million hectares of this afforestation programme are assigned as
‘protection forest and special-use forest’ status that include areas for forest regeneration).
3 Prime Minister Decision 08/2001/QD-TTg, dated 11/1/2001, on The Promulgation of Regulation on Management
of Special-use Forest, Protection Forest and Production Forest.
13
Vietnam has been a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since 1994. In
1995 the GoV expressed its commitment to biodiversity conservation through the
development of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)4. The BAP provided
recommendations for: conservation policies and programmes, the improvement of
management of protected areas, the identification of priority projects and sites for
conservation as well as complementary actions for biodiversity conservation such as ex situ
methods, research, monitoring, and education.
In 2002, parties to the CBD agreed to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC),
which set 16 ambitious targets for delivery by 2010 (see Table 3). This Vietnam Conifer
Conservation Status Review makes its most significant contribution to Target 2: ‘A
preliminary assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species at national,
regional and international levels’. However, this publication should also serve as an
invaluable tool in achieving may other targets of the GSPC, from the development of
models for plant conservation and sustainable use, through to capacity building, awareness
raising and trade controls. Table 3 summarises how the Vietnam Conifer Conservation
Status Review contributes to the targets of the GSPC.
Vietnam is also a party to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of

Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), following its accession to the Convention in 1994. The
CITES management authority in Vietnam is the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (MARD), and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) and
the Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES), a part of Vietnam
National University, Hanoi, serve as the CITES scientific authorities5.
In October 2004, the 13th Conference of the Parties to CITES agreed to list Asian yews,
Taxus chinensis, T. cuspidata, T. fauna and T. sumatrana and all infraspecific taxa of these
species in Appendix II of the Convention. This follows an earlier listing of Taxus
wallichiana in Appendix II in 1994, mainly reflecting concern about the unsustainable trade
in plant parts and chemical extracts for the pharmaceutical industry. The taxonomy of the
Asian Taxus is very complicated and controversial and there are several active research
programmes attempting to clarify their taxonomy. The Vietnamese populations of Taxus in
both northern and southern Vietnam are too small to be threatened by commercial scale
exploitation for Taxol production and there is only a local trade for its timber. However the
example of Taxus indicates the problem of how limited information on the scale and effect
of international and national trade in many conifer species affects conservation efforts. At
present it may be premature to suggest inclusion of other species in the CITES Appendices
because of the lack of reliable information. Yet it is clear that trade may well be threatening
species that occur in Vietnam, such as Fokienia hodginsii, as recent research has suggested
(Osborn 2004).
4 Prime Ministerial Decision 845/1995/TTg, dated 22/12/1995, on Enforcing Vietnam’s Biodiversity Action
Plan.
5 Ministry of Forestry Decision 844/1994/TCLD, dated 5/8/1994, on Assigning Forest Protection Department to
Represent the Ministry of Forestry by Serving as Vietnam’s Management Agency for the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; and Decision 43/2000/QD-BNN-TCCB,
dated 19/4/2000, on The Establishment of a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora Office in Vietnam.
14
Box 2 Protected conifer species of Vietnam following national Decrees 18 and 48,
together with proposed global and national conservation statuses
VIETNAMESE CONSERVATION STATUS

FAMILY/SPECIES
LEGAL STATUS
GLOBAL NATIONAL
CUPRESSACEAE
Calocedrus macrolepis Group II VULNERABLE ENDANGERED
Cunninghamia
Group II VULNERABLE ENDANGERED
konishii
1
Cupressus sp. Group I NOT EVALUATED DATA DEFICIENT
Fokienia hodginsii Group II NEAR-THREATENED ENDANGERED
DATA DEFICIENT CRITICALLY
Glyptostrobus pensilis Group I
[ENDANGERED] ENDANGERED
PINACEAE
Abies delavayi2 Group I LEAST CONCERN VULNERABLE

Keteleeria evelyniana Group II LEAST CONCERN VULNERABLE
Pinus dalatensis Group II VULNERABLE VULNERABLE
Pinus krempfii Group II VULNERABLE VULNERABLE
Pinus kwangtungensis Group I NEAR-THREATENED VULNERABLE
TAXACEAE
DATA DEFICIENT
Taxus wallichiana3 Group I ENDANGERED
[LEAST CONCERN]
Notes
Taxonomic issues: 1 listed as Cupressus torulosa; 2 listed as Abies fansipanensis; 3 listed as Taxus baccata var.
wallichiana
Vietnamese legal status: listings follow Decree 48/2002/ND-CP, dated 22.4.2002, on Amending and
supplementing the list of rare and precious flora and fauna and regulations for their management and protection,
Decree 18/1992/HDBT, dated 17.1.1992; group definitions follow article 8 of Decree 18 as follows –
Group I - exploitation and use is strictly forbidden. In special circumstances, when plants, live animals,
products of forest plant or animal, or seeds are needed to be used for scientific purposes or in regard to
international co-operation or relations, permission must be obtained from the Chairman of the Council of
Ministers, according to the suggestion of the Minister of Forestry.
Group II - exploitation and use is restricted, in concrete terms, as follows:
Timber trees may be exploited only at restricted levels according to species, number, and area. The planned
quotas for each year must be approved by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, and written permission
must be obtained from the Minister of Forestry. During exploitation, the procedures and technical standards
of the Ministry of Forestry must be correctly implemented. Authorised use of Group II-listed wood may be
used only for special building projects of the state, in the production of handicrafts, or in high-grade furniture
to be used domestically and for export. The export of raw or partially processed wood is forbidden.
Conservation status: Global assessments in square brackets [ ] are recent proposed revisions using IUCN
(2001) criteria (Farjon et al., 2004a); all non-bracketed statuses follow IUCN (2004). All national statuses are
new assessments using IUCN (2001) criteria, and presented for the first time as a result of this review.
15
2.3 Conservation importance
The IUCN’s global Conifer Action Plan (Farjon & Page, 1999) defined conifer hotspots as
areas with high diversity and high numbers of threatened species, i.e. more than 2 % of all
globally threatened species. It listed nine areas that met that criterion. The IUCN (2004)
Red List of Threatened Species currently lists 291 conifer species (nearly half of all the
world’s species of conifer) as globally threatened. Fourteen (c. 5 % of the world’s total
number of threatened species) occur in Vietnam. An additional 13 species are threatened at
the national level. It is clear, therefore, that Vietnam qualifies as the tenth global conifer
hotspot (Farjon et al., 2004).
Table 3 Contributions the 2004 Vietnam Conifer Conservation Status Review

makes to the Global Plant Strategy for Plant Conservation of the
Convention on Biological Diversity
Contribution made by the 2004 Vietnam

Global Plant Strategy for Plant Conservation Target
Conifer Conservation Status Review
(A) Understanding and documenting plant diversity
(1) A widely accessible working list of known plant species, Provides a checklist of all acknowledged species of
as a step towards a complete world flora Vietnamese conifer but undoubtedly not complete.
Further work is still required as a priority to verify
taxonomy of certain taxa. (Box 1)
(2) A preliminary assessment of the conservation status of Constitutes a preliminary assessment of all known
all known plant species, at national, regional and Vietnamese conifer species at the national level and
international levels has informed conservation status of a number of
species at the international level. (Box 1)
(3) Development of models with protocols for plant Gives general recommendations for in- and ex situ
conservation and sustainable use, based on research and conservation and sustainable use of conifers (see
practical experience section 2.5, together with specific
recommendations for each species in Part 3).
(B) Conserving plant diversity
(4) At least 10 % of each of the world’s ecological regions Conifers are promoted as flagship species for wider
effectively conserved area- and landscape-based conservation efforts.
(5) Protection of 50 % of the most important areas for plant As above
diversity assured
(6) At least 30 % of production lands managed consistent Recommendations for integrated ex situ
with the conservation of plant diversity conservation and production of commercial
conifer species are made. (Section 2.5.9)
(7) 60 % of the world’s threatened species conserved in situ Recommendations for in situ conservation for all
Vietnamese conifer species are made. (Part 3)
(8) 60 % of threatened plant species in accessible ex situ As above
collections, preferably in the country of origin, and 10 % of
them included in recovery and restoration programmes
(9) 70 % of the genetic diversity of crops and other major Recommendations for conservation of genetic
socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, and diversity of economically viable conifer species,
associated indigenous and local knowledge maintained integrated, where possible, with involvement of
local communities are made. (Sections 2.5.8-10)
(10) Management plans in place for at least 100 major alien This review highlights the threat to some species of
species that threaten plants, plant communities and indigenous conifer of hybridization with planted
associated habitats and ecosystems introduced alien species.
16
Contribution made by the 2004 Vietnam

Global Plant Strategy for Plant Conservation Target
Conifer Conservation Status Review
(C) Using plant diversity sustainably
(11) No species of wild flora endangered by international Highlights international trade as a serious threat to
trade. a number of Vietnamese conifer species, and the
need to gather more information before effective
action can be taken in halting/regulating this trade.
(12) 30 % of plant-based products derived from sources that Recommends investigating potential of sustainably
are sustainably managed managed non-timber product extraction from
Vietnamese conifer species
(13) The decline of plant resources, and associated Promotes integrated conifer conservation and rural
indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices livelihood development for certain species
that support sustainable livelihoods, local food security and
health care, halted
(D) Promoting education and awareness about plant diversity
(14) The importance of plant diversity and the need for its This review itself is intended to raise awareness of
conservation incorporated into communication, educational conservationists, decision makers, natural resource
and public awareness programmes managers and funding agencies. It also
recommends the development of awareness raising
programmes for both government officials and
local communities situated near key sites for
conifer conservation (Section 2.5.2)
(E) Building capacity for the conservation of plant diversity
(15) The number of trained people working with Recommends the development of technical
appropriate facilities in plant conservation increased, training modules and materials for relevant
according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this government agencies (Section 2.5.2)
Strategy
(16) Networks for plant conservation activities established Recommends the establishment of a national
or strengthened at national, regional and international levels conifer specialist group to monitor conservation
status and inform the international specialist group
of the IUCN-SSC (Section 2.5.1)
Globally threatened conifers represent over 40 % (14/33 species) of the Vietnamese conifer
flora. When nationally threatened species are added, the percentage rises to over 90 %
(31/33 taxa). One species of cypress, Cupressus sp., may already be extinct in the wild, while
three others (Taiwania cryptomerioides, Xanthocyparis vietnamensis and Glyptostrobus
pensilis) are regarded as Critically Endangered within Vietnam. Nationally, nine species of
Vietnamese conifer are Endangered, and another 17 are regarded as Vulnerable. Only two
conifer taxa (Cupressus sp. and Pinus wangii) in Vietnam are currently not listed as
threatened or near-threatened due to uncertainties of taxonomic identity. Box 1 (page xxiv)
provides detailed listings of global and national conservation statuses for all known species
of indigenous Vietnamese conifer.
The extremely high percentage of threatened species is the result of several factors. Almost
all species produce valuable timber or non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as resin
and essential oil. Consequently conifers are highly sought after and many have been over-
exploited. Other conifers in Vietnam are either localised endemics or are restricted to
17
specialised habitats, especially in the limestone areas. Several other species are more widely
distributed outside of Vietnam and the Vietnamese populations represent the extremities
of the natural range. Some of these populations represent distinct provenances e.g. Pinus
latteri and P. kesiya (Cooling, 1968). Such species are naturally rare in Vietnam and their
limited distribution and small population size makes them more susceptible to the effects
of large-scale threats such as deforestation.
With half of all Vietnamese conifer species globally threatened and nearly all species
threatened with extinction nationally, it is important to be able to identify those species
that are of highest priority for immediate conservation action. The assessment using IUCN
categories provides a guide but other factors, such as economic value and scientific
importance, also need to be considered. Table 1 (page xix) lists 10 potential priority species
for conservation action in Vietnam.
2.4 Threats to conifers in Vietnam
Threats to the conifers of Vietnam are substantial and varied. Many species have high
commercial value and so are specific targets for logging or exploitation. Populations of
other species have become fragmented due to the expansion of agricultural lands at the
forests’ expense, or through deliberate or accidental fires. Several conifers have long
generation times that are characterised by infrequent seed production or episodic
regeneration. Overall the threat to the survival of conifers in Vietnam results from different
combinations of these factors. Most threats, other than those due to biological or genetic
constraints, have an underlying human cause and the threat to conifers increases with
proximity to human habitations. Major threats to individual species are outlined in Part 3
‘Profiles of Vietnamese Conifer Species’. The general threats to the conifers of Vietnam are
identified and listed below.
Commercial logging
Commercial logging poses one of the major problems for conifers in Vietnam. Large-scale
exploitation has affected many high value species (e.g. Fokienia hodginsii, Cupressus sp. and
Calocedrus macrolepis). Timber is logged and transported in large quantities for use in
urban areas or for export. Since timber exploitation provides an important income for the
provincial and national economy, some timbers are legally harvested for special purposes6.
Many timbers, however, such as Fokienia hodginsii, are also harvested for the illegal timber
trade (Osborn, 2004; Swan & O’Reilly, 2004).
Subsistence logging
Many conifers are heavily exploited by local people throughout their distributions. In many
areas, conifers are the timber of choice for their durability, and weather and pest resistant
qualities. Selective logging by local people is threatening narrowly distributed conifers such
as Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, Taiwania cryptomerioides, Cunninghamia konishii, Tsuga
chinensis, Pseudotsuga sinensis as well as more widespread conifers such as Fokienia
hodginsii. Selective logging may also have longer term effects such as genetic depletion.
6 Decree 48/2002/ND-CP, dated 22/4/2002, on Amending and Supplementing the List of Rare and Precious
Flora and Fauna and Regulations for their Management and Protection (see footnote 1).
18
Inappropriate Species Choice for replanting schemes

A combination of policy frameworks and cost norms for nursery propagation and
replanting schemes has the effect of discriminating against replanting schemes based on
slower growing indigenous trees. Combined with a lack of knowledge within the forest
sector of innovative silvicultural practices this means that in the northern mountains that
Cunninghamia lanceolata, as well as other quick growing exotics and native trees, are
planted widely. This increases the risk of uncontrolled fires as well as increasing the risk of
the spread of non-native trees – even within special use forests (protected areas).
NTFP use
NTFP collection from conifers in Vietnam currently threatens a number of species (e.g.
Pinus latteri). Nevertheless, use of NTFPs can promote conservation if conducted in
association with effective conservation goals. However, many NTFP products are currently
gained through destructive harvesting and if left unchecked can be disastrous for species
(e.g. the entire natural population of Cupressus sp. in Lang Son Province may have been
destroyed through the destructive harvesting of the roots for incense production).
Furthermore the lack of attention to developing silvicultural practices to support NTFP
production reduces the ability of local populations to ‘domesticate’ important trees even on
land that has been allocated to households and communes/villages for management.
Agricultural encroachment
Agricultural encroachment also poses a major risk to conifer populations in Vietnam. The
threat posed to species by direct over-exploitation is compounded by the conversion of
large areas of forest land to agriculture (in order to support a continually expanding
population), especially in montane areas between 800 and 1500 m amsl. For example, areas
of occurrence of Pinus latteri and Keteleeria evelyniana have been greatly reduced and
fragmented by forest conversion and destruction. The two remaining swamps with
Glyptostrobus pensilis are surrounded by coffee plantations that are changing the hydrology;
this will inevitably lead to the extinction of this species at these sites.
I n f r a s tructure d evelop m ent

Infrastructure development poses an indirect threat to the majority of conifers in Vietnam
due to the conifers’ restricted range and tendency to occur in remote areas. Nevertheless,
with an expanding population and subsequent increase in agricultural encroachment,
previously remote areas are becoming accessible and other potential threats increase. An
example includes the potential threat to Abies delavayi subsp. fansipanensis of road
development in the Hoang Lien National Park, Lao Cai Province which may increase levels
of tourism and further increase the risk of fire destroying the only known population of
this subspecies.
Fire
Fires are highly destructive and pose a serious threat to many of Vietnam’s conifers. Fires
are, occasionally, naturally occurring but the majority are man-made and are especially
dangerous when used for clearing land for agriculture and for early season grazing. Dry,
easterly winds at times of land burning increase the risk to nearby forest areas. Other fire
risks occur through forest campfire neglect. Several species have been placed under
increased risk of local extinction due, in part, to man-made forest fires. The single
19
population of Taiwania cryptomerioides in Lao Cai Province has been, and continues to be
threatened by the use of fire to maintain and increase grazing land. The remaining localities
of Glyptostrobus pensilis in Dac Lac Province have been severely degraded from the
deliberate firing of the swamps by local people hunting snakes (Thomas et al., 2004).
Fragmented small populations

Heavy logging, frequent fires and conversion of land for agriculture have isolated
Vietnamese conifer populations and reduced their numerical size. Fragmentation increases
the likelihood of decline in natural regeneration for any plant population and increases
susceptibility to all threats.
Reproductive biology
Many conifer species are dioecious, for example Amentotaxus species. Female trees of the
species rarely produce cones and so successful seed production is observed only with a low
frequency. This may be compounded by selective logging, which could be changing the sex
ratio of the population. Other species are reliant on episodic regeneration and require
open, disturbed areas for regeneration. Seed production may be infrequent in these species.
This combination of biological and ecological characters may enhance the level of threat to
those species when their habitats are degraded or isolated by deforestation and changes in
land use. A lack of knowledge of these issues by managers of protected areas means that
appropriate methods for in situ conservation are not put in place.
Genetic problems
The effects of fragmentation and selective logging may also have an impact at genetic level
through the loss of genetic variability. Local provenances are often the best materials for
local forest plantation as they are well adapted to local climatic and edaphic conditions and
may also have specific properties and uses that differ from other provenances. A good
example is the lowland provenance of Pinus latteri which is widely used for reforestation in
Vietnam. Unlike the highland provenance that is valued for timber, the lowland
provenance is grown mainly for resin production. Unfortunately, the lowland provenance
already appears to be extinct in the wild (Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004). Hybridisation can
also potentially affect conifer species integrity: for example, Cunninghamia konishii readily
hybridises with C. lanceolata and the two should not be cultivated together.
2.5 General recommendations
Specific recommendations for individual conifer species are provided within each species
profile in Part 3. However, there are a number of general recommendations for effective
conservation of Vietnamese conifers that are discussed below. These recommendations are
grouped into 10 thematic areas:
• Research and information management;
• Capacity building and awareness raising;
• National policy and legislation development;
• National legislation implementation and enforcement;
• Protected area development and management;
• State Forest Enterprise restructuring and management;
• Sustainable use;
20
• Integrated conifer conservation and rural livelihood development;

• Ex situ propagation;
• Living gene banks.
2 . 5 . 1 Research and I nform atio n Man agement

species, population sizes and continually assess conservation status. Whilst this
conservation status review provides a good starting point for developing a coherent
conifer conservation programme in Vietnam, the review also clearly highlights that
there are still significant gaps in both the quality and quantity of scientific knowledge.
Furthermore, the information that does exist is often scattered across a variety of
sources, many of which are not widely accessible to the scientific or conservation
communities, let alone natural resource managers. Many of these ‘grey literature’
survey reports present poorly documented information on conifer occurrence that is
not verified by voucher specimens, where species have often been misidentified.
Considering relatively recent discoveries in the conifer flora of Vietnam, it is also very
possible that new conifer localities, or even new species7 will be discovered. It is
essential, therefore, that results from surveys are referred to competent conservation
authorities, that survey teams voucher their collections, and that these teams have
access to most recent publications on conifers, such as the recently published illustrated
field guide to Vietnamese conifers (Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas, 2004) and this
review. Comprehensive field surveys, yielding accurate scientific information, will
contribute to Target 2 of the GSPC – ‘a preliminary assessment of the conservation
status of all known plant species, at national, regional and international levels’, which is
essential for planning and implementation of effective conservation actions.
ii. Continue taxonomic research to resolve issues of uncertain taxonomic identity.

Many of the conifer species profiles presented in Part 3 of this review highlight the need
for further research into the taxonomy of Vietnamese conifers. Several species’
conservation statuses cannot be ascertained because their taxonomic identity remains
uncertain. The potentially extinct in the wild Cupressus sp. is a chief example, in
addition to a number of possibly new pines and podocarps.
iii. Conifer ecological research to support effective management planning of the 10

identified priority conifer species listed in Table 1 (page xix). Ecological research is
crucial for developing management strategies for the long-term survival of a number of
increasingly rare conifer species. To date, except for direct observation and deductive
interpretation made during field surveys, there has been very little research conducted
on the ecology of Vietnam conifers. Examples of work to date include seed research
conducted on Pinus latteri (Nguyen Duc To Luu, unpublished data), and phenology,
regeneration and soil requirements of Dacrydium elatum (Huynh Van Keo & Le Doan
Oanh, 2002). Silviculture trials are also key for the ex situ conservation of some species
such as Glyptostrobus pensilis, since its natural habitats have been irretrievably damaged.
7 A number of potentially new species of pine and podocarp have already been discovered in Vietnam
(Nguyen Tien Hiep et al., 2004), but not yet described (and, therefore, not included in this review), see Table
1.
21
Knowledge on the seed biology of Amentotaxus spp. and Taiwania cryptomerioides will
help find appropriate management strategies to promote their natural regeneration.
iv. Conduct further research on the national and international trade of conifer
timbers, e.g. Fokienia hodginsii, in order to provide recommendations for inclusion on
CITES appendices.
v. Establish a national conifer specialist group for the regular monitoring of

conservation status at the national level and contributing to re-assessments of global
statuses co-ordinated by the CSG of the IUCN-SSC. This group would provide a focal
point for data collection and evaluation, maintaining international standard herbarium
collections and liaising with other herbaria and specialists around the world.
vi. Disseminate recent research on location and management of conifers in

Vietnam. Collecting new and reliable data is of limited application if natural resource
managers, tasked with protecting Vietnam’s biological diversity cannot access this
information. Therefore, in addition to conducting further baseline surveys and
taxonomic research, there is a need to develop a programme of dissemination to
scientists, universities, conservationists as well as practicing forest land managers at
state, commercial and grassroots levels. It is hoped that the wide dissemination of this
review, particularly in digital formats (CD ROM, website), will help address the issue of
inaccessible existing information.
2.5.2 Capacity Building and Awareness Raising
i. Develop a training programme on technical aspects of conifer conservation. The

technical capacity of FPD staff, especially in remote areas where threatened conifers
often occur, is currently limited by the availability of training courses and the level of
awareness of the training opportunities available. To date, a number of training
projects have been undertaken, targeting FPD technical staff and management,
universities and research institutions, e.g. the IEBR-MBG Vietnam Botanical
Conservation Programme (plant conservation, including identification), the VTSP
(seed propagation techniques, tree improvement, seed sources, conservation and
sustainable use of conifers), and FSIV (genetic conservation). Such training has
included conifers but not targeted conifers specifically. Specialised training on survey
methods and conservation of conifers in Vietnam has only occurred recently through
the RBGE-CFSC Preservation, Rehabilitation and Utilisation of Vietnamese Montane
Forests project. Outputs of this project included field manuals for conifer
identification, propagation and conifer mycorrhizas (Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas,
2004; Dick et al., 2004; Ingleby et al., 2004). Except for these manuals, very few
extension materials applicable to conifer conservation are available. VSTP have
produced various extension materials, such as videos and calendars, based mainly on
seed issues. Similarly ODA conservation projects have produced posters and brochures
but they focus on general habitat conservation rather than on conifers specifically. Few
materials from national projects have been distributed to provincial forestry authorities
and protected areas, and there is still no system or incentive to transfer the knowledge
contained within these publications to staff at the district and commune levels.
22
Training and educating provincial and district Forest Protection Department (FPD)
staff in practical elements of conifer conservation is essential for in situ management of
threatened populations. This capacity building, transferring both theoretical knowledge
and practical skills, should be extended to all involved parties at all levels (national to
commune), from government decision makers and forest rangers to local community
participants in conservation efforts. It is essential that such training programmes, and
the relevant extension materials, be accessible at the district and commune levels in
areas where conifer conservation is an issue. Where necessary, the programme should
be tailored to address the conservation situation for individual species. Once trained,
local FPDs should embark on programmes to locate and demarcate all major sites, and
in the case of severely threatened species, every tree of a threatened conifer species.
ii. Develop awareness raising programmes on the importance of conifer

conservation for relevant government agency stakeholders. Again, such
programmes should operate at all levels of administration, and also be developed in
conjunction with the technical training programmes suggested above. Awareness (and
capacity building) also needs to be imparted to those local authorities, from FPD
rangers to protected areas managers, to SFE staff that currently implement government
forestry programmes (such as Programme 661), that communities are an important
stakeholder in conifer conservation actions. Conservation is most successful when it
receives good collaboration from all stakeholders: consumers, natural resource
managers, policy makers, conservationists and scientists, funding agencies and
especially local people. Collaboration with authorities in other countries could also help
raise awareness on conifers in border areas, e.g. Cunninghamia konishii on the Vietnam
– Laos border.
iii. Build capacity in general management planning and conifer conservation

specifically, for management authorities of protected and non-protected areas
supporting globally important populations of threatened conifers. Many protected
areas have limited management plans based on original investment plans. The need to
adapt and change management plans in relation to increased scientific knowledge is
currently a slow process in Vietnam, leading to unresponsive authorities - especially
when faced with changing threats such as increases in illegal logging. A wide range of
capacity building measures are required to facilitate effective management of protected
areas as well as for sites supporting populations of threatened conifers that are not
within designated special-use forests.
iv. Raise awareness, through appropriate media, of local communities to the

importance of conifer conservation, particularly where local use poses the major
threat to the threatened conifer population. Conservation problems for conifers occur
mostly in remote areas where there are significantly low standards of living, including
high poverty and low formal education levels. Awareness raising for local people is
therefore essential for conifer conservation. Locating these awareness programmes
within management activity planning, including monitoring, that brings benefits to
local people should be the ideal. Such integrated awareness raising programmes should
also develop linkages with GoV poverty reduction programmes.
23
Communicating and raising awareness among local people is essential for in situ
conservation, a need that is recognised in Target 14 of the GSCP. Despite protected
areas and ODA projects both conducting a number of generalised awareness raising
programmes for local communities, the large size of protected areas and the lack of
proper training methods and strategies often reduces the effectiveness of these
programmes. In addition, in the remoter areas, ethnic minority communities are often
not addressed using appropriate media, such as use of oral material and posters rather
than written documents in the national language. It is also clear that despite the
importance of women’s knowledge in relation to forest land management in many
forest-dependant communities, they are usually excluded from discussions of protected
area management. This is often a result of cultural constraints as well as the fact that
ethnic minority women in remote areas are rarely fluent in the national language.
Forest Protection Departments are dominated by men and their ability to
communicate with ethnic minority women is often limited.
2 .5 . 3 National p olicy and legislatio n develo pment
i. Revise national laws and regulations regarding the conservation and use of
threatened conifers, based on up-to-date information gathered from recent field
surveys and taxonomic research on conifers in Vietnam. Existing national legislation,
notably Decrees 18 and 48, which lists species of rare and precious Vietnamese flora
and fauna, protected by national law, must now be considered inaccurate in light of the
recent discoveries regarding conifers in Vietnam. New information gathered over the
last two years suggests that highly threatened conifers, such as Xanthocyparis
vietnamensis and Taiwania cryptomerioides must be included on the Group I list (strict
no use) of Decrees 18/48. Other conifer species, such as Cephalotaxus mannii, should be
reassessed in light of new evidence and consideration be given for inclusion to Group II
(restricted use). The taxonomy used by these laws should also be revised to be
consistent with recent information.
ii. Develop new legislation prohibiting all large-scale commercial logging of any
conifer species in Vietnam (by any agency, private or state-run), especially for
Fokienia hodginsii, Calocedrus rupestris and Calocedrus macrolepis. The same legislation
should also tightly control and minimise small-scale logging for subsistence use,
especially for species with narrow ranges of distribution such as Tsuga chinensis,
Pseudotsuga sinensis and Cunninghamia konishii. Existing national legislation (Decrees
18/48) still allow the use and exploitation of ‘protected’ conifers species listed in Group
II under ‘special circumstances’ and with relevant permission. These ‘special
circumstances’ include use in government buildings, handicrafts and furniture making
for the domestic and export market. It is clear, however, that such restrictions are too
weak and unenforceable to the extent that relatively widespread conifers, such as
Fokienia hodginsii, are under intense logging pressure throughout their distribution. A
moratorium on the exploitation of all populations of naturally occurring conifer species
should be considered until assessments have been conducted on the levels of sustained
exploitation each species can tolerate.
24
2.5.4 National legislation implementation and enforcement
i. Provincial People’s Committees should co-ordinate effective co-operation

between relevant provincial agencies to ensure that forest protection is a
priority.
ii. Authorities charged with upholding the law must enforce legislation. Despite the
GoV Decision 88 banning the exploitation of natural forests in 2001, levels of law
enforcement remain highly varied; especially where previous licenses for exploitation
exist or where land has been assigned to SFEs for management. It is also clear that the
list of protected species (Decrees 18 & 48 –see Box 2 and section 2.5.3 above) is also
being disregarded in essence as indicated by the large-scale exploitation of Fokienia
hodginsii by licenses granted to SFEs and other commercial companies by provincial
authorities. In addition to this legal, yet unsustainable, harvest, illegal exploitation of
timber, including conifers, from natural forest and protected areas still occurs
throughout Vietnam. Enforcement of forest protection laws on the ground is hampered
by low capacity, remote locations and the limited risk that forest crime perpetrators will
be apprehended. Often it is more profitable for local businesses to disregard the law and
pay fines/bribes, especially when timber prices are high. Local people also often use
forest products for house construction, with or without relevant permission, as they
have little alternative. In order to achieve effective law enforcement, relevant agencies
need to be fully conversant in all pertinent forest protection legislation and trained in
its implementation.
iii. Strict and regular checking of any and all potential forest law violators at guard
posts on forest access routes, particularly in the case of protected areas, should be a
priority action for law enforcement.
iv. Conduct regular monitoring patrols of areas of high conifer conservation

importance. Such actions will require education and training for both forest rangers
and their supervising authorities. When not on patrol ranger teams should be engaged
in conservation awareness raising activities with local communities. These patrol teams
could be comprised of FPD rangers and /or local community members, operating as an
intelligence extension of FPD, particularly in remote mountainous areas where
threatened conifers tend to occur in Vietnam. The development of trained and salaried
‘Community-based Monitoring Groups’, as part of a protected area management
structure, also provides local incentives for forest protection.
8 Prime Ministerial Decision 8/2001/QD/TTg, dated 11/1/2001, on Promulgating Management Regulations

of Natural Special-use, Protection and Production Forests.
25
2.5.5 Protected area development and management
i. Develop new protected areas for important populations of threatened conifers.

Despite the rapid expansion of the protected area system in Vietnam9, a number of
threatened conifer species are still poorly represented, or absent, in the protected area
network (Phan Ke Loc & Nguyen Tien Hiep, 1997). Developing new protected areas,
can involve long and costly processes, but should be expedited for areas with conifer
species of restricted distribution, such as Nui Voi - Duc Trong, Lam Dong Province for
Taxus wallichiana, or Van Ban District, Lao Cai Province for Taiwania cryptomerioides.
However, gazetting a new protected area affords no protection per se if the strict no
logging regulation for special-use forests is not enforced (see section 2.5.4 above). New
‘protected areas’ for conifers need not necessarily be special-use forests, species that
could sustain some limited harvest, such as Taxus wallichiana in Lam Dong Province
and Pinus kwangtungensis in Son La and Cao Bang Provinces, could benefit from in situ
protection in areas of critical watershed protection forest, which allows for limited
logging. Protected area development for conifers contributes towards Target 7 of the
GSCP – ‘60 % of the world’s threatened species should be conserved in situ’.
ii. Explore opportunities for community and collaboratively managed protected

areas. Vietnam is currently in a process of developing new community forestry models
and legislation, in line with the CBD decision on protected areas, which includes
Community Conservation Areas. In remote locations, where local people’s livelihoods
are dependant upon forest resources to some degree, community forestry could be the
most effective means of achieving protection for important tree species in the short-
term. In return for strict protection of the conifer forest area, support from relevant
agencies (both GoV and ODA) could develop remaining forest land for indigenous tree
and fodder cultivation through the use of appropriate agroforestry models.
iii. Focus further inventory surveys in existing and proposed protected areas in
order to evaluate the comprehensiveness of the network in terms of conifer
conservation. General floristic surveys should target conifers as focal species. Recent
changes in protected area system, and new discoveries of conifer species in Vietnam,
also require an update of Phan Ke Loc & Nguyen Tien Hiep’s (1997) review of
threatened conifer occurrence in protected areas, which would help target surveys of
poorly known areas.
iv. Use threatened conifers as flagship species for conservation of wider habitats
within protected areas. Most protected area projects focus on both species and
habitat conservation, yet the potential of conifers, as charismatic flagships for
conservation, has rarely been exploited. One notable exception is Taiwania
cryptomerioides, which is currently providing justification for protected area
development in the Hoang Lien Mountains.
9 Efforts are currently underway to expand the system of special-use forests (SUF) to meet a national target of
two million hectares by 2010 (Anon., 2003; Tordoff et al., 2004).
26
2.5.6 State Forest Enterprise restructuring and management
i. Ensure conifer (as flagship species) conservation is a priority consideration in

restructuring SFEs as significant contributors to national forest protection and
biodiversity conservation. In many cases, threats to existing populations of conifers
come from legal operations conducted by SFEs. SFEs are under pressure to reform10
but this is a very slow and irregular process. Restructured SFEs could support conifer
conservation through both in and ex situ approaches. Management and restructuring
of commercially non-viable SFEs that support important populations of threatened
conifer should be supported from the highest levels in exploring alternative
mechanisms for conserving these populations. SFE restructuring for conservation gains
could include formal protected area status, commune/village protection forest for
biodiversity conservation or other novel methods suitable to the local conditions.
2.5.7 Sustainable use
i. Assess possibilities of sustainably using threatened conifer species. The

economics, at both large-scale commercial, and small-scale craft enterprises, of
different types of plantation programmes need to be studied. However, sustainable use
of conifers usually has limitations due to long generation times.
ii. Explore opportunities for certifying conifer timber suppliers as sustainably

managed. Possible commercial wood-processing companies need to be identified and
action programmes to link cultivation of certified wood sources to commercial
enterprises, e.g. through ‘contract growing’ opportunities, need to be developed.
iii. Assess market value and harvesting sustainability of potential NTFPs from
conifers. Where currently sustainable, efforts should be made for trial production and
marketing.
2.5.8 Integrated conifer conserva tion and rural livelihood

d evelop m ent
i. Development of good, integrated, silvicultural practices for land under

household or commune/village management which links biodiversity
conservation, watershed management and livelihood development. Many threats
to conifers, such as subsistence felling, agricultural land encroachment, fires, NTFP
exploitation, etc., occur as a result of local people’s needs. Many forest-dependent
communities are poor and suffer from regular periods of hunger. Whilst pioneer slash
and burn cultivation is often blamed for forest destruction, in most areas of Vietnam
this agricultural practice has ceased, although practices of uncontrolled burning of
fallow fields can still destroy large areas of primary forest inadvertently. Halting the
conversion of forested land should be facilitated through appropriate long-term land
allocation and technical support to develop good forest land management practices,
10 Prime Ministerial Decision 187/1999/QD-TTg, dated 16/9/1999, on Renovation of Organisation and

Management of State Forest Enterprises.
27
which support watershed protection, biodiversity conservation and livelihood

development. However, recognition of the need to develop appropriate technical
models and support for their dissemination is required. Agricultural and forestry
extension services in the remotest areas are usually under-resourced and have little
knowledge about agroforestry practices, use of indigenous trees and appropriate
silvicultural techniques for use on household and commune/village forest land. In some
areas, strong local knowledge exists which could facilitate this process. At all times
livelihood development linked to conifer conservation should include the allocation of
valid, and long term, land use certificates so that tenure arrangements are clear to all
stakeholders. This must include households, commune/villages as well as larger
commercially viable enterprises. Exploring the use of the provision of recent ‘benefit
sharing’ legislation11 for forest land in relation to protection forest and conifer
conservation could highlight opportunities for local communities.
ii. Explore opportunities for directly engaging local community members in

conifer conservation activities. For example, employing local people to monitor
remote sites where key populations of threatened conifer occur. Other possibilities for
direct and active community involvement in conifer conservation include: stewardship
programmes, ecotourism ventures, fire control, developing plantations, authorised seed
collection etc.
iii. Conduct participatory socio-economic research in areas where threats to

conifers are high. Such research should highlight issues regarding demographics,
poverty, education, traditional cultural practices, land use patterns, crop structures,
forest dependence and conifer use where appropriate. By use of participatory methods,
local people can help define appropriate strategies for livelihood development as well as
conservation management.
iv. Livelihood development approaches in key locations should take into account
biodiversity issues. Through appropriate integration of development activities from
GoV and ODA projects at the district level, targeted interventions in remote
villages/communes can be linked to conservation measures. This can bring together
biodiversity conservation objectives and local interests (social, cultural and economic).
v. Conduct EIAs, in a transparent manner, when infrastructure development is

proposed in areas where conifer conservation is an identified priority.
Appropriate mitigation strategies should be put in place to minimise the impact on the
conifer population under consideration.
vi. Facilitate the development of small-medium sized processing/craft enterprises

in remoter areas that can utilise the products from well managed, and if necessary
certified, plantations and possibly natural forest that is under local sustainable
management regimes.
11 Decision 178/2001/QD-TTG, dated 12/11/2001, on Benefits and Obligations of Households and

Individuals Assigned Leased or Contracted Forest and Forestry Land.
28
2 . 5 . 9 E x s i t u propagation
i. Research on silviculture and propagation, both vegetative and reproductive, for

'difficult' conifer species should be promoted. Ex situ conservation areas for
indigenous trees have also been established for some important conifers include Taxus
wallichiana and Keteleeria evelyniana. Small plantations (1 ha) of Cupressus sp. and
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis have also been established from cuttings. Effective
propagation can provide material (including cuttings and seedlings) for replanting
programmes. These plantations could help to connect and restore original distributions
of species and make their population size large enough to be able to regenerate
naturally. However this later aim depends on the use of appropriate provenances. These
plantations can also serve as awareness raising tools for local people and other agencies.
Seed propagation and replanting are important measures for small fragmented
populations of Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, Glyptostrobus pensilis, Taiwania
cryptomerioides and Cupressus sp. Seed and vegetative propagation research has been
conducted by CFSC and FSIV to establish propagation methods for some Vietnamese
conifers (Nguyen Duc To Luu, unpublished data; Dick et al., 2004; Than Van Canh,
2002; Tran Minh Tuan, 2002; Nguyen Hoang Nghia, 2000; Huynh Van Keo et al.,
1999). The current work contributes to the GSPC Target 8, that 60% of threatened
plant species should be in accessible ex situ collections, preferably in the country of
origin (see Table 3, page 16).
While several conifers have potential for forest plantation, only Pinus latteri and P.
kesiya are found in production plantations at present. Difficult silvicultural
requirements and the long rotation for production prevent the sustainable use of many
conifers especially where fast growing exotic species provide inputs for the wood-based
processing industry including pulp/paper and chip. Development of the furniture
industry, and other craft industries requiring good quality timber however may make a
reassessment of the long term viability of using key indigenous species appropriate. The
possible closure of trade in timber from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam’s timber
trade would also accelerate the need to develop ‘home-grown’ plantations of valuable
trees in order to protect those specimens that still exist in the wild and within protected
areas. Also the development of mixed forest land plantations for indigenous trees has
not been explored in Vietnam. The linking of cultivation of short and long rotation
timber/NTFP species plantation is limited thus restricting the options available to land
holders. Other products from conifers, such as high value NTFPs, should be utilised for
the sake of conifer conservation and sustainable use. Intercropping conifer plantations
with faster-growing economic broadleaf trees or agricultural crops could also provide
benefits.
Propagation and plantation are also important for sustainable utilisation of species. A
good practise has been demonstrated with Fokienia hodginsii in Van Ban District, Lao
Cai Province and Ky Son District, Nghe An Province where logging companies have to
establish new plantations of the species using part of their turnover from timber logs.
Plantations can help to reduce exploitation pressure on natural populations and
conserve species in the ex situ context. However the regulation of this process is critical
as at present there is a ‘gap’ between the current trade requirements and the
29
development of the plantations themselves. Illegal logging from within protected areas
and natural forest is hard to control, and once the timber has been cut identifying the
source is likely to prove impossible with the resources available to the FPD in Vietnam.
ii. Assess market potential for ornamental use of cultivated trees of some species,
e.g. Nageia spp., Amentotaxus argotaenia, Fokienia hodginsii.
2 .5 . 1 0 Living Gene B ank s
i. Identify, and strictly protect, indigenous tree seed sources for conifers with
possible commercial potential. Gene banks provide a mechanism to conserve genetic
variation within species. Such variation is useful in helping to prevent genetic
bottlenecks and eventual extinction. Genetic variation can also be used to maximize
potential utilization value of a species. The land where these trees exist could, if not
already within an approved protected area, be assigned to local people for protection in
return for inputs to livelihood development. This approach may be the only viable
approach where remaining populations are in remote and inaccessible areas. Different
sites should be chosen for the conservation of genetic variation for species with wide
distributions e.g. Fokienia hodginsii, Dacrycarpus imbricatus, Pinus latteri, P. kesiya,
Dacrydium elatum, Cephalotaxus mannii, Nageia spp. The selected sites can then also be
registered as seed sources for ex situ programmes. Various initiatives are currently
underway in Vietnam to undertake ex situ conservation activities for conifers. Attempts
to survey and register major seed sources for indigenous trees of Vietnam are carried
out by Central Forest Seed Company (CFSC) and the DANIDA-supported Vietnam
Tree Seed Project (VTSP). To date, three conifers have been registered - Pinus latteri, P.
kesiya and Fokienia hodginsii. Under Vietnamese law registered seed sources can receive
better attention and support from authorities for protection and development.
30
Pr ofi l es of Vietname se Conife r S pe c ie s
Part 3
1
2 1. Fokienia hodginsii’s crown and trunk /Copyright Leonid Averyanov

2. Xanthocyparis vietnamensis
3 3. Amentotaxus yunnanensis
Plate I
1 2 3 4
Amentotaxus species.
1. A. poilanei cone-bearing branchlet and very young seed cones (specimen VH 802, Kon Tum, Ngoc Linh, photo
by Averyanov); 2. A. hatuyenensis cone-bearing branchlet and young pollen cones (specimen DKH 4970, Ha Giang,
Quan Ba, Can Ty, photo by Averyanov); 3. A. yunnanensis sterile branchlets with leaves adaxial and abaxial (Bac
Can, Cho Don, Ban Thi, photo by Averyanov); 4. A. yunnanensis seed-bearing branchlet and ripe seeds (specimen
WP 626, Ha Giang, Yen Minh, Lao Va Chai, photo by Phan Ke Loc).
Calocedrus macrolepis.
Left: branchlet with seed cones (Cuc Phuong NP, photo by Phan Ke Loc),
Right: branchlet with pollen cones (Cuc Phuong NP, photo by Averyanov)
Calocedrus rupestris (new sp.). 1 3

1. Tree; 2. Foliage, abaxial face; 3. Base of
trunk; 4. Seed cones damaged by unknown
insect larvae; 5. Pollen cones. (All photos by
Averyanov from Bac Can, Na Ri, Liem Thuy,
specimen HAL 5440).
Seed cones (specimen HAL 5441, Bac Can,

Na Ri, Liem Thuy, photo by Phan Ke Loc).
2
33
Plate II
1 3
2 4
Cephalotaxus mannii.
1. Trunk of tree (photo by Averyanov, Pu Luong NR, Thanh Hoa, Ba Thuoc, Thanh Son); 2. Seedling
(specimen HLF 3133, photo by Phan Ke Loc, Pu Huong NR, Nghe An, Con Cuong, Binh Chuan); 3. Cone-
bearing branchlet and pollen cones (specimen P-10618, photo by Phan Ke Loc, Hoa Binh, Mai Chau, Pa
Co); 4. Ripe seeds (photo by Averyanov, Pu Luong NR, Thanh Hoa, Ba Thuoc, Thanh Son).
34
Plate III
Cunninghamia konishii:
1. Tree; 2. Base of trunk; 3. Seedling; 4. Female cone with
seeds and germinated seeds. (Specimen HLF 3106, all photos
by Phan Ke Loc from Pu Huong NR, Nghe An).
Cupressus sp.:
1. Tree c. more than 40 years old,
cultivated at Van Linh, Chi Lang, Lang
Son; 2. Ripe seed cones from this tree
2 (photos by Nguyen Duc To Luu).
35
Plate IV
1 2 3
Dacrycarpus imbricatus.
1 and 2. Seed-bearing branchlets and seeds (photos
by Averyanov from Pu Luong NR, Thanh Hoa, Ba
Thuoc, Co Lung); 3. Tree (photo by Phan Ke Loc
from Chu Mom Ray NP, Kon Tum).
1 3
Dacrydium elatum.
1 and 2. Tree crown and trunk (Bi Doup NR, Lam Dong);
3. Young foliage (Na Hang NR, Tuyen Quang, specimen
HAL 1703); 4. Seed-bearing branchlets and young seeds
(Nui Chua NP, Ninh Thuan, specimen 5412). (All photos
2 by Averyanov).
36
Plate V
1 3
Fokienia hodginsii.
1 and 2. Tree crown and trunk (Lao Cai, Van Ban,
Khanh Yen Ha); 3. Young foliage (Hoa Binh, Mai Chau,
Hang Kia); 4 and 5. Young seed cones (Lao Cai, Van
Ban, Khanh Yen Ha); 6. Mature seed cone (Bac Can,
Cho Don, Ban Thi). (All photos by Averyanov).
5 6
37
Plate VI
Keteleeria davidiana. Seed cones (photo by

Averyanov from Bac Can, Na Ri, Kim Hy NR).
1 2
Nageia fleuryi.
1. Seed-bearing branchlet and young seeds,
(specimen HAL 1494), Ha Giang, Quan Ba,
Thai An; 2 and 3. Mature seeds, Cuc Phuong NP.
(Photos by Averyanov).
38
Plate VII
3
2
Nageia wallichiana. 1 and 3. Tree and branchlet

with young seeds (Quang Ninh, Van Don, Quan
Lan, Quan Hai, photos by Nguyen Duc To Luu,
specimen P-10704); 2. Sapling (Pu Huong NR, Nghe
An, specimen HLF 3099, photo by Phan Ke Loc); 4.
Branchlet with seeds (Kon Tum, Kon Plong, Hieu,
photo by Averyanov, specimen P-10263).
39
Plate VIII
2 4
Pinus dalatensis.
1. Emergent trees in forest canopy, Kon Tum, Kon Plong, Hieu (photo
by Averyanov); 2. Single tree (Bi Doup NR, Lam Dong, photo by Phan
Ke Loc); 3 and 4. Branchlet with seed cones (Kon Tum, Kon Plong,
Hieu (photo by Averyanov, specimen P-10205).
40
Plate IX
1 2 3
Pinus krempfii.
1. Tree crown (Bi Doup NR, Lam Dong); 2. Tree trunk (Bi Doup NR, Lam Dong, Lac Duong, Cong Troi);
3. Seed cones (photos 1 and 3 by Averyanov, photo 2 by Phan Ke Loc).
1 2 3
Pinus kwangtungensis. 1. Habitat and 2. Emergent crown in forest canopy

(Hoa Binh, Mai Chau, Pa Co); 3. Seedling hardly seen in nature (Cao Bang,
Trung Khanh, Ngoc Khe); 4. Young female cones (Ha Giang, Quan Ba, Thai
An); 5. Branchlets with mature seed cones (Hoa Binh, Mai Chau, Pa Co); 6.
Seed cones (Thanh Hoa, Ba Thuoc, Co Lung). (All photos by Averyanov).
6
41
Plate X
1 2
3 4
Podocarpus neriifolius.
1. Foliage (Cao Bang, Trung Khanh, Ngoc Khe); 2. Ripe seeds (Cao Bang, Tra Linh, Thang Heng); 3. Branchlet
with young seeds (Ha Giang, Quan Ba, Thai An, specimen HAL 1451); 4. Podocarpus pilgeri pollen cones,
(specimen HAL 1504, Ha Giang, Quan Ba, Thai An). (All photos by Averyanov).
42
Plate XI
1 2
3 4 5
6 7
Pseudotsuga sinensis.
1. Habitat and 2. Forest stand of P. sinensis in Bac Can, Na Ri, Kim Hy; 3.
Pollen cones (Ha Giang, Quan Ba, Bat Dai Son NR); 4. Young seed cones
and old pollen cones (Ha Giang, Meo Vac, Lu Lu Thang); 5. Unripe seed
cone (Bac Can, Na Ri, Kim Hy NR); 6 and 7. Ripe seed cones (Cao Bang,
Trung Khanh, Ngoc Khe). (All photos by Averyanov).
43
Plate XII
1 2 3
4 5
Taiwania cryptomerioides.
1 - 3. Tree stand, crown, and trunk; 4. Foliage of young branches; 5. Branchlet with seed cones. (All photos
by Nguyen Tien Hiep from Lao Cai, Van Ban, Khanh Yen Ha, specimen NTH 5154).
Taxus chinensis.
1. Branchlets with young pollen cones
(Hoa Binh, Mai Chau. Hang Kia, photo
by Averyanov). Taxus wallichiana. 2.
2
Base of trunk (Lam Dong, Don Duong,
Ho Tien); 3. Branchlets with ripe
seeds (Lam Dong, Da Lat, Xuan Tho).
(Photos by Nguyen Duc To Luu). 3
44
Plate XIII
1 2 3
Tsuga chinensis:
1. Tree crown (photo from Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas, 2004); 2. Branchlet with open seed cones (Cao
Bang, Nguyen Binh, Yen Lac); 3. Branchlet with young and mature cones and leaf buds (HAL 1448, Ha
Giang, Quan Ba, Thai An). (Photos 2 and 3 by Averyanov).
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis: 1. Habitat;

2. Tree crown (HAL 1430); 3. Branch with
two different foliage types; 4. Branchlet with
unopen seed cones; 5. Branchlet with open
seed cones. (All photos from Ha Giang, Quan
4 Ba, Bat Dai Son NR by Averyanov).
45
Part 3: Profiles of Vietnamese Conifer Species
CEPHALOTAXACEAE
Cephalotaxus mannii Hook. f. Plate II
Đỉnh tùng, Phỉ ba mũi (Vietnamese), Plum Yew (English), hai nan cu fei (Chinese).
Synonymy: Cephalotaxus hainanensis H.L. Li, Cephalotaxus griffithii Hook.f.
In some references this tree is referred to as C. oliveri Mast. Other references also record C.
fortunei and C. drupacea from Vietnam. There is only one species from this small genus in
Vietnam - C. mannii.
Conservation status
Global VULNERABLE A1d
Existing national RARE
Proposed national VULNERABLE A2cd B1ab(i-v), B2ab(i-v), C1
Globally this species is considered Vulnerable (A1d) due to the range-wide reduction of
forests, and throughout its range, Cephalotaxus mannii is restricted to small populations in
which the largest trees are often targeted for their timber. This global status has not yet
been evaluated under the new IUCN (2001) criteria. In Vietnam it has been considered a
Rare species (Anon., 1996). The CSG gives this conifer a Vulnerable national status based
on population reductions due to widespread conversion of its prime habitat, severe
fragmentation and continuing decline in area, extent and quality of habitat.
Cephalotaxus mannii Hook. f.
1. Sterile branchlet.
2. Leaf abaxial view.
3. Cone-bearing branchlet and
pollen cones.
4. Seed-bearing branchlet and
ripe seeds.
(1-2 drawn from DKH 7294, 3-

from P 10618 and 4- from HAL
4292 by Pham Van Quang).
Description
A moderately shade tolerant, small, upright tree with a straight bole and narrow crown up
to 20 -30 metres tall and 0.5 – 1.1 m dbh. It is found scattered in small groups from 500-
2000 m amsl in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal broad-leaved submontane
forests on both limestone and silicate derived soils (mean annual temperature 13-210C,
rainfall above 1500 mm). Often associated with Nageia wallichiana, Taxus wallichiana,
47
Podocarpus neriifolius and Dacrycarpus imbricatus on silicate derived soils of mountains in

central and southern Vietnam, and Pseudotsuga sinensis, Pinus kwangtungensis, Nageia
fleuryi, Podocarpus pilgeri, Fokienia hodginsii, Taxus chinensis and Amentotaxus spp. on
limestone mountains in northern Vietnam. Natural regeneration is frequent.
Distribution 104
0
108
0
112
0
Within Vietnam it is definitely known from in Lao Cai,

220 0
22
Ha Giang, Son La, Cao Bang, Hoa Binh, Ha Tay, Thanh

Hoa, Nghe An, Thua Thien-Hue, Kon Tum, Gia Lai,
Lam Dong. Reports from Thai Nguyen, Ha Tinh, Quang
0
Binh, Quang Tri, Dac Lac, Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan 18 0
18
need to be confirmed. Outside of Vietnam this species is

distributed across north-east India, Laos, northern
Myanmar, northern Thailand and southern China.
0
14 0
14
Uses
Produces high quality insect and termite resistant timber 0
10 0
that is used for quality furniture, fine crafts and tool 10
handles. The seed has medicinal qualities and in Hainan 104

0
108
0
112
0
the bark is used to treat fever (Tripp, 1995). An alkaloid

Cephalotaxus mannii
(Homoharringtonine) isolated from the Chinese C.
harringtonia has shown efficacy against various leukaemia’s (Fu Li-kuo & Jin Jian-ming, 1992).
The possibility of growing this species for anti-cancer drug production should be investigated
further. This species also has good potential for ornamental use as the young trees are shade
tolerant and have a good form, while mature trees have interesting bark patterns.
Threats
This species has been exploited for its timber and medicinal properties throughout its
global range. Collecting the bark is fatal to the tree and this type of harvesting is
unsustainable. Within Vietnam it is principally threatened by forest fragmentation and
conversion of habitat to agricultural use in submontane, lowland and some montane
forests in non-limestone regions. Where it occurs in the interface between agriculture and
montane forest, the forest is liable to degradation. For this species, adequately administered
reserves that contain large areas of undisturbed forest may be the only long-term solution.
Protected Area status
This species has been recorded in small populations from several national parks and nature
reserves including Ba Vi NP, Bach Ma NP, Pu Luong proposed NR, Pu Huong NR, Chu
Mom Ray NP and most of the protected areas around Bi Doup in Lam Dong. Reports from
Tam Dao NP need to be confirmed. The largest populations in Lam Dong (c. 100 trees)
occur on the slopes of Nui Voi – Duc Trong, an area that is now classed as watershed
protection forest (Thomas, Gardner & Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2002).
Recommended conservation action
This species should be included in Group IIA of the List of Rare and Precious Flora and
Fauna for limited use, which will promote conservation of the species outside of protected
areas, mainly in protection forests. The wide distribution of the species gives it a high
potential for establishment of ex situ gene conservation areas in all provenances using seeds
or cuttings. Good populations such as in Nui Voi – Duc Trong – Lam Dong and Pu Huong
NR should be declared and protected as National Seed Sources.
48
CUPRESSACEAE
Calocedrus macrolepis K u r z Pla te I
Bách xanh, Tùng hương, Pơ mu giả, Trắc bách diệp núi (Vietnamese), cui bai (Chinese).
Synonymy: Libocedrus macrolepis (Kurz) Benth. & Hook.
Conservation status
Global VULNERABLE B1+2b
Existing national ENDANGERED
Proposed national ENDANGERED A2acd, A3cd, B2ab(i-v), C2a(i)
Despite its extensive distribution in northern South East Asia, this species is listed as
Vulnerable (B1 + 2b). In Vietnam, its conservation status has changed over the years from
Endangered (Anon., 1996) to ‘conservation dependent’ (Phan Ke Loc & Nguyen Tien Hiep,
1997) or Endangered with a population of less than 250 mature individuals (criterion D –
see Annex 1) (Nguyen Hoang Nghia, 2000). Recent survey work in southern Vietnam
recorded more populations so that it no longer meets the D criterion for Endangered.
However, the recognition of the northern and southern populations as different taxa,
coupled with the restricted distribution, past overexploitation and continuing problems
with illegal logging in the south, means that nationally C. macrolepis can be assessed as
Endangered A2acd, A3cd, B2ab(i-v) C2a(i). The global listing for C. macrolepis needs to be
reassessed.
Calocedrus macrolepis Kurz
1. Cone-bearing branchlet with scalelike
leaves and ripe opened and unopened seed
cones.
2. Fragment of young canopy branchlet.
3. Fragment of old canopy branchlet.
4. Leaves of young canopy branchlet, adaxial
view.
5. Leaves of young canopy branchlet, abaxial
view.
6. Opened seed cone with long stalk.
7. Seed cone, facial view.
8. Seed cone, lateral view.
9. Seed cone with removed fertile cone-scale,
facial view.
10. Seed, adaxial view.
(Drawn from Phan Ke Loc P 10705 by Pham
Van Quang).
Description
Straight-boled tree up to 20 – 25 m in height, with a diameter of 0.6 – 0.8 m. Branches early
and broad crowned. Found in small groups in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal
0
mixed submontane forests (mean annual temperature 15-20 C, rainfall over 1500 mm) from
800 – 1500 m amsl on silicate derived soils. In some areas it is associated with Dacrycarpus
imbricatus, Dacrydium elatum and Keteleeria evelyniana. Seedling regeneration may
occasionally be abundant (Thomas, Gardner & Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2002). Seedlings are
light demanding and mainly found in gaps. Shaded seedlings generally die within 5 years.
49
Distribution
In Vietnam this species has been recorded from both limestone areas in the north and non-
limestone areas in the south. Populations in southern Vietnam (Dac Lac, Lam Dong,
Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan) show strong morphological resemblance to those outside of
Vietnam. Those from the limestone areas in the north (Son La, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac
Can, Hoa Binh and Nghe An) show differences in their vegetative morphology which
suggest either a response to the more severe environment or the presence of a different
species. A lack of fertile specimens has inhibited further research. Recent studies on fertile
specimens collected in Bac Can Province has led to the description of a new species -
Calocedrus rupestris (Averyanov et al., in press). The majority of other populations in the
limestone areas of northern Vietnam are now thought to represent this species. There may
also be populations that represent naturalised trees. Outside Vietnam C. macrolepis occurs
in north-east Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and south-east China.
Uses
0 0 0
This species produces valuable, straight grained, finely 104 108 112
textured timber that is resistant to termites and insects, 220 220
and easy to work. It is used for construction, cabinet work,

office furniture and fine crafts. It is also used for incense
and essential oil, and the young trees are highly 0 0
18 18
ornamental and suitable for cultivation in montane areas.
Threats
The major threat is overexploitation for its valuable 14
0
14
0
timber throughout its range. In southern Vietnam it is

also threatened by forest fragmentation, forest fire and
conversion of its habitat to agricultural use. 10
0 0
10

Small populations are located within protected areas 104
0
108 0 112
0
around Bi Doup in Lam Dong and Phuoc Binh in Ninh Calocedrus macrolepis
Thuan. Trees in Ba Vi National Park may be naturalised
(Averyanov et al., in press).
Current conservation measures
The species is included in Group IIA of the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna,
therefore exploitation is limited by the law. In Lam Dong, propagation programmes have
been undertaken by the Western Highland Forest Enterprise and the Vietnam Tree Seed
Project to provide planting materials for enrichment plantings and for the establishment of
living gene banks.
The main populations are located outside protected areas but still in protection forests such
as in Thuong Da Nhim (Lam Dong), Tan Tien (Ninh Thuan), Khanh Son (Khanh Hoa).
Since the exploitation of species is limited by the law, conservation awareness should be
raised in such protective areas. All logging should be prohibited in all areas where this
species is found. Cultivation in plantations could provide an important renewable resource
for incense and essential oil and use of material from these sites should be promoted.
50
Calocedrus rupestris A v e r . , H . T . N g u y e n & L . K . P h a n ( ined.)

Bách xanh đá (Vietnamese). Plate I
Conservation status
NOT EVALUATED
Global status
[ENDANGERED A2cd, C1]
Existing national status NOT EVALUATED
Proposed national assessment ENDANGERED A2cd, C1
As the data on this species has not been formally published, only a provisional assessment can
be made. In northern Vietnam almost all populations of Calocedrus have been heavily
exploited. Its narrow habitat range, limited distribution, the small fragmented population sizes
and extensive recent exploitation mean that it can be assessed as EN (A2cd, C1). This infers a
reduction in population size of more than 50% over the last 3 generations accompanied by a
decline in the area of occupancy and quality of habitat due to actual level of exploitation
(A2cd). The total national population size can be estimated at less than 2500 mature
individuals (i.e. trees that are reproducing – saplings and young trees are excluded) and there is
likely to be a continuing decline of a further 20% within the next two generations given the
continuing illegal logging and its lack of representation in protected areas.
Calocedrus rupestris Aver., H.T.

Nguyen & L.K. Phan
1. Cone-bearing branchlet with
scalelike leaves and young
seed cones and ripe opened
pollen cones.
2. Leaves of young canopy
branchlet, adaxial view.
3. Leaves of young canopy
branchlet, abaxial view.
ripe opened pollen cones.
unopened seed cone.
6. Seed cone, facial view.
7. Seed cone, lateral view.
8. Seed cone with removed
fertile cone-scale, facial view.
9. Seed.
(Drawn from HAL 5441 by Leonid
Averyanov (2-10) and Nguyen
Quang Hung (1).
Description
Tree up to 25 m tall, trunk to 1 m dbh, evergreen, monoecious, with broadly rounded crown.
Bark with numerous large resin ducts. Timber light yellow, odourless. Branchlets arranged in
a plane, spreading and ascending, flattened, prominently jointed. It is distinguished from C.
macrolepis by the obtuse to broadly obtuse leaf apex, small sub-sessile 4-scaled broadly ovate
seed cones 4–5 (-6) x 2.5–3 (-3.5) mm with very short stalk 0.5–1 (-1.5) mm long having 6–8
(-12) obtuse scales and fertile seed scales with incurved roundish apex having rough, more or
51
less flat surface without any mucro. This species is found as a co-dominant in floristically very
rich relict primary closed tropical seasonal coniferous submontane forests with Keteleeria
davidiana, Pinus kwangtungensis and Pseudotsuga sinensis, on tops of rocky limestone hills
composed of highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone at elevation 650–700 m amsl
0
(mean annual temperature is about 20 C, annual rainfall over 1500 mm). Very few seedlings
of Calocedrus rupestris are observed. 0 0 0
104 108 112
Distribution
The type locality is near the village of Na Bo, 220 0
22
21°56'44''N, 106°05'09''E, at elevation 650-700 m amsl,

Liem Thuy Commune, Na Ri District, in the south-
eastern most part of Bac Can Province, bordering with 18
0
18
0
Thai Nguyen and Lang Son Provinces. This conifer is

found in fragments of primary coniferous forests
situated in the large limestone areas of northern 14
0
14
0
Vietnam where many interesting conifers such as

Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, Pseudotsuga sinensis, Tsuga
chinensis, Taxus chinensis, Keteleeria davidiana as well as 10
0
10
0
many other higher vascular plants were found. The

majority of populations of "Calocedrus macrolepis" 104
0
108 0 0
112
found on limestone mountains in Son La, Ha Giang,

Calocedrus rupestris
Cao Bang and Hoa Binh probably belong to this new, as
yet unpublished taxon. Reports of Calocedrus from Nghe An have not been verified.
Uses
Similar to Calocedrus macrolepis, it produces valuable, straight grained, finely textured
timber that is aromatic, resistant to termites and insects, and is easy to work. It is used for
construction, cabinet work, office furniture and fine crafts and for incense.
Threats
The major threats are forest fragmentation, forest fire and overexploitation for timber and
resin. There are less than 100 mature individuals at the type locality. During May-June
2004, it was noted that more than 80% of seed cones of Calocedrus rupestris were
parasitised by insects. If this is a regular occurrence then natural regeneration may be
inhibited (Averyanov et al., in press).
P r o t e cted A rea status:
The type locality where this species is found is not yet protected. Calocedrus occurs within
the Bat Dai Son NR and Hang Kia-Pa Co NR. These populations are small and there are
few large trees. Calocedrus was widespread in parts of Son La but the majority of the large
trees have been logged.
None are implemented at present.
The type locality should be assessed for inclusion in protected area system. This species
should be added to the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna and all logging should be
stopped. Trials should be undertaken to establish a similar ex situ programme as there is for
Calocedrus macrolepis in southern Vietnam.
52
Cunninghamia konishii Hayata Plate III

Sa mộc dầu, Sa mộc Quế Phong, Ngọc am (Vietnamese).
Conservation status
Existing global status VULNERABLE A1c
Existing national status RARE
Proposed national assessment ENDANGERED A2c, B2ab (i-v)
Globally this species is listed as Vulnerable A1c. In Vietnam, due to the small size of the
populations, their restriction to a few areas in three provinces and the extent of
deforestation resulting from shifting cultivation in those areas, it meets the Endangered
status following the IUCN (2001) criteria.
Cunninghamia konishii
Hayata

ripe seed cones.
2-3. Sterile branchlets of old
canopy.
4. Leaf of cone-bearing
branchlet, adaxial view.
5. Leaf of cone-bearing
branchlet, abaxial view.
6. Seed scale, abaxial view.
7. Seed scale, adaxial view.
(Drawn from Tran Dinh Nghia T

1815 by Bui Xuan Chuong).
Description
Closely related to C. lanceolata, this is an upright tree with pyramidal habit, reaching up to
50 m high with a dbh to 2.5 or more metres. It is found scattered in small groves in primary
closed evergreen tropical seasonal mixed submontane and montane forests (mean annual
temperature 13-190C, rainfall above 1500 mm) on granite and some other silicate derived
soils from 960 - 2000 m amsl. Associated conifers include Fokienia hodginsii, Nageia
wallichiana and Dacrycarpus imbricatus. Natural regeneration has not been observed in Pu
Huong NR or at Pu Mat NP in Ky Son, Nghe An. In other areas regeneration seems to be
confined to landslips or freshly burnt areas and apparently requires gaps.
53
Distribution 104
0
108 0 112
0
In Vietnam it is found in Ha Giang (Tay Con Linh),

220 220
Thanh Hoa (Xuan Lien) and Nghe An (Pu Hoat, Pu
Huong, Pu Mat, Ky Son). This species has also been
recorded from adjoining areas of Laos (Province - Houa
Phan) and from Taiwan.
0 0
18 18
Uses
Accessible stands have been heavily exploited by State 14
0
0
14
Forest Enterprises in the recent past; currently it is used

locally for house construction and making coffins as the
wood is resistant to rot, termites and is easily worked. It
0
is relatively fast growing and has potential for forest 10 0

10
plantation. 0
104 108 0 1120
Threats Cunninghamia konishii

Heavy exploitation and limited distribution are the main
threats. A secondary threat is related to the introduction of foreign provenances of the
closely related C. lanceolata for plantation work. These taxa are known to hybridise readily;
if this happens then the genetic integrity of the remaining wild populations in Vietnam and
in Laos would be at risk.
Populations are recorded from Xuan Lien, Pu Huong, Pu Hoat and Pu Mat, Tay Con Linh
protected areas.
This species is included in Group IIA of the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna for
limited exploitation. In Nghe An, a research project is underway to determine the full
extent of its distribution within the province and to study its biology and ecology (Tran
Van Duong, 2001). Attempts at establishing conservation plantations in Ky Son have had
limited success; a major problem is the collection of seed and selection of suitable sites for
plantation.
Local logging activities have to be stopped by raising the awareness of the people and state
agencies and by providing on-site protection. Local people, and relevant authorities, also
need to be informed about the problems of introducing C. lanceolata from areas outside of
Nghe An for their own use. Collaboration with Laotian foresters is an important measure
since most populations are located in areas that cross the national borders. The species has
high potential for timber plantation as one of the largest trees in Vietnam. Silviculture trials
should be established in suitable sites by collecting seeds from different sources. Seeds and
seedlings can be imported from Laos for plantation but C. lanceolata should not be
interplanted with the species.
54
Cupressus s p . Plate III

Hoàng đàn (Vietnamese).
Older references for Vietnamese conifers identify Cupressus trees found in Lang Son and
north-east Vietnam as C. torulosa D. Don (Nguyen Tien Hiep & Vidal, 1996; Vu Van Dung,
1996). This species is naturally restricted to the Himalayas. An introduced species C.
lusitanica is widely planted in tropical countries and some specimens in Vietnamese
herbaria appear to refer to this species (Farjon, 2002). Natural and many cultivated trees
currently found in Lang Son do not appear to belong to C. torulosa. C. tonkinensis Silba was
described in 1994, based on specimens collected from the Lang Son area around 1919 and
others collected in Guangxi about the same time (Silba, 1994). Genetic and morphological
comparison of material collected from natural and cultivated trees of known wild origin in
north-east Vietnam strongly suggest that they are a distinct taxon which is closely related to
C. funebris (Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas, 2004; Thomas et al., in prep.). Records of
Cupressus funebris from Ha Giang (Le Tran Chan et al., 2000) need to be confirmed. This
species has a long history of cultivation in China, especially near temples and its natural
distribution is uncertain (Farjon, in press). Its occurrence in northern Vietnam may be the
result of naturalisation.
Conservation status
Global status NOT EVALUATED
Proposed national assessment DATA DEFICIENT
If this taxon is correctly identified and it turns out to be indigenous, then it should be listed
either as Critically Endangered or as Extinct in the wild for Vietnam. Until then it should
be regarded as Data Deficient, until identity is confirmed.
Cupressus sp.
ripe seed cone.
2. Part of branchlet in old
canopy with scalelike leaves.
(Drawn from P. Thomas &
N.D.T. Luu s.n. and Phong tai
nguyen thuc vat, s.n. by Nguyen
Quang Hung).
Description
This description is based on recently planted trees collected from Lang Son (Van Linh) and
surrounding karst ridges areas. Upright single stemmed tree with broad pendulous crown
up to 8 m with dbh to 0.4 m. It was found sparsely distributed on limestone ridges from
550 – 1000 m amsl. May have been associated with Nageia, Pseudotsuga sinensis and other
limestone conifers. Natural regeneration absent.
55
Distribution
In Vietnam, the last known natural tree of Cupressus sp. in Huu Lien NR in Lang Son was
destroyed by a fire in January 2004 (Thomas & Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004b). Records from
Na Hang in Tuyen Quang represent Dacrydium elatum. Reports from Dong Van in Ha
Giang (Le Tran Chan et al., 2000) need further verification. Its status in China also needs
verification. The distribution of C. funebris in Vietnam, as well as its distribution in China
need to be clarified before it can be regarded as
indigenous in Vietnam. 104
0
108 0 112
0
Uses
220 0
The timber has a straight, fine textured grain that is 22
resistant to termites and insects. It is aromatic,

especially the roots, and does not deform or split after
seasoning. Used for cabinet work, office furniture,
0
18 0
18
high quality crafts and statues. It is also used for

incense sticks and essential oil extracted from wood
and roots can be used in medicine, perfumes 14
0
14
0
manufacture, soaps and other cosmetics. It is also

planted as an elegant ornamental tree with attractive
juvenile foliage and mature shape. 10
0
10
0
P r o t e c t ed A rea status 0
104 108 0 112
0
Huu Lien NR was established to protect the remaining

trees (as well as many other threatened species) in Cupressus sp.
1986. Illegal logging and fire have eliminated this

species from the reserve (Thomas & Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004b).
This species has been the focus of extensive ex situ conservation and utilisation programs. A
small stand of less than 20 trees has been established within Huu Lien NR. The Central
Forest Seed Company and its associated State Forest Enterprise have undertaken
propagation trials based on a collection of 40 clones established as a living gene bank to
support future plantation work.
Further research to establish the species identity is ongoing. Verification of previous reports
for localities in Tay Con Linh and Ha Giang is also important. FPD, FDD and FIPI staff
should be asked to report any new finds. Replanting and plantation programmes using
propagated materials can be aimed at production of incense and essential oil. Recent
market surveys (An Van Bay, 2003) have indicated that there is a substantial demand for
Cupressus. Further trials to establish plantations should be undertaken. Genetic
fingerprinting of the existing ex situ collections should be undertaken to establish the range
of clones currently in cultivation.
56
Fokienia hodginsii ( D u n n ) A . H e n r y & H . H . T h o m a s Plate V

Pơ mu, Mạy vạc, Hòng, Mạy long lanh (Vietnamese)
Conservation status
Global status NEAR-THREATENED
Existing national status INSUFFICIENTLY KNOWN
Proposed national assessment ENDANGERED A2cd
Its extensive distribution accounts for its current global evaluation as Near-threatened
under IUCN (1994) criteria. However, in each country where it occurs, this species has
been extensively exploited and populations are becoming more isolated and fragmented. Its
global status is currently under review. In Vietnam, this species has been listed as
Endangered (Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas, 2004) based on the reduction in its habitat
and the extent of logging operations. The majority of the remaining mature stands are
confined to remote mountainous areas in Lao Cai, Nghe An and Lam Dong Provinces.
Licences for felling are still being granted to State Forest Enterprises e.g. in Van Ban
District, Lao Cai Province and Muong La District, Son La Province, and illegal logging is
also still a problem.
Fokienia hodginsii (Dunn) A.

Henry & H.H. Thomas
1. Cone-bearing branchlet with

scalelike leaves and seed cones.
2. Seed.
3. Branchlet with scalelike leaves,
adaxial view.
4-5. Young tree branchlet with
scalelike leaves, abaxial view.
6. Seed scale.
(1-3, 6 drawn from VH 5557, 4-5-

from HAL 754 by Pham Van Quang).
Description
An upright, straight boled tree with rounded crown, reaching up to 30 m high with a dbh
to 1.5 or more metres. There is only a single species in this genus, which is remarkably
variable in its leaf shapes dependent on the maturity of the tree and its foliage. It occurs in
nearly pure stands on top ridges of limestone and non-limestone mountains or dispersed as
individuals or small groves of trees on slopes and flat areas in primary closed evergreen
57
tropical seasonal broad-leaved submontane and montane forests (mean annual

0
temperature 13-20 C, annual rainfall above 1800 mm) dominated by Fagaceae, Lauraceae
and Magnoliaceae (Kuznetsov, 2001). In the southern provinces it is associated with
Dacrydium elatum, Pinus dalatensis and P. krempfii, in the central and northern provinces it
is associated with Cunninghamia konishii, Taiwania cryptomerioides, and Pinus
kwangtungensis. In limestone areas of northern Vietnam (Ha Giang, Bac Can and Hoa
Binh Provinces) it is found sometimes in pure stands on top ridges of limestone mountains
at the elevation of 900-1400 m amsl. It regenerates abundantly, but is shade intolerant and
requires gaps.
0
104 108 0 112
0
Distribution
Within Vietnam it is found in Dien Bien, Lai Chau, 220 22
0
Lao Cai, Son La, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Bac Can, Phu
Tho, Hoa Binh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien-Hue,
Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dac Lac, Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan 18
0
18
0
and Khanh Hoa. Reports from Tuyen Quang need to

be verified. Outside of Vietnam it is found across
much of southern China and in Laos. In both of these 14
0
0
14
countries the extent of the remaining stands are

unknown, making it difficult to estimate the extent of
the global populations represented in Vietnam.
0 0
10 10
Uses
It produces high quality timber that is used for house 104
0
108 0
112
0
building (including roofing shingles), for furniture Fokienia hodginsii

and handcrafts. It is also a source of valuable essential
oil. Seeds have been reported to have medicinal properties (Perry, 1980).
Threats
The timber is highly valued and consequently it has been intensively exploited. Large trees
are becoming rare due to selective felling. Large quotas are still being licensed for cutting in
some provinces. The ecology of the species is not well known. If it is dependent on episodal
disturbance events followed by large-scale regeneration (the fact that it does here and there
occur in groves seems to confirm this), then selective cutting is likely to favour
angiosperms, which by quickly filling the gaps will prevent the more light demanding
conifers from successfully regenerating. Smaller existing trees are likely to be felled in a next
quorum harvest, once they are bigger. This scenario, if correct, would effectively remove
Fokienia even from forests that would be otherwise protected (Farjon, 2002).
Fokienia hodginsii is listed in the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna in Group IIA
for limited exploitation. Surveys for volume and area of the species have been done by FIPI
(Phung Tu Boi, 1996) in 9 provinces. Two natural stands in Ky Son, Nghe An Province and
Van Ban, Lao Cai Province have been registered as National Seed Sources. In some areas,
(Ky Son, Nghe An, Van Ban, Lao Cai), large trial plantations are being established with
some success but there is a gap between trade related demand and wood availability from
plantations in the short term.
It is recommended that strict reserves, e.g. within the Hoang Lien Mountain Ecosystem and
58
its forest protection areas, be created in which the various distribution patterns, age classes
(including “over mature” or senescent phases if possible) are represented. Simultaneously,
regeneration of Fokienia (whether or not this occurs) in exploited forest should be
monitored.
Osborn (2004) conducted a general status survey on Fokienia for FFI and made the
following recommendations:
• Continue reviewing published information that has benefit for the implementation of
the management plan.
• Clarifying the legal position regarding the harvesting and trade of Fokienia in Vietnam.
Continual monitoring of the legal situation is also important
• Assessing trade statistics, where possible, of Fokienia through logging companies and/or
processing companies. This may involve the sub-contracting of consultants or
researchers outside of Vietnam.
• Conducting detailed research into the ecology and regeneration strategy of Fokienia
using the Hoang Lien National Park and/or Van Ban District, Lao Cai Province as pilot
studies. A pilot study for Fokienia found on limestone parent rock should also be
conducted.
• Conducting (or contracting) research into the association between Fokienia and the
Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa. Positive association would have an impact on the
conservation of both taxa and potentially provide further resources of funding.
Research would have to be undertaken in suitable areas particularly where the ranges of
both species overlap.
• Assessing the volume of Fokienia (standing) wood through the use of remote sensing
and ground truthing techniques.
• Reviewing all data (where possible) of provincial authorities with regards Fokienia
distribution, density and harvesting quotas.
• Based on the site specific results devise a plan for the management of Fokienia for the
whole of Vietnam.
• Assess the use of plantation strategies with regards timber trade and the effects of such
strategies on both in situ and ex situ conservation of Fokienia.
• Assess the use of Fokienia by different ethnic groups for subsistence and cultural
purposes.
In addition full protection for Fokienia should be given in watershed protection areas –
including revoking of current licences for State Forest Enterprises to harvest from natural
forest areas. Ex situ gene conservation areas of all provenances should be established.
Silvicultural trials for domestication should be undertaken both for large scale commercial
production and for local requirements for ethnic minorities and for furniture/craft based
small/medium size enterprise development.
59
Glyptostrobus pensilis (Staunt.) K. Koch

Thông nước, Thuỷ tùng (Vietnamese), Water Pine (English), shui song (Chinese).
Conservation status
DATA DEFICIENT
Global status
[ENDANGERED B1ab(i,iv), B2ab(i,iv), D]
Existing national status ENDANGERED
Proposed national assessment CRITICALLY ENDANGERED A2c, B1ab(i-v), B2ab(i-v), C1
Globally, this species is listed as Data Deficient due to uncertainty about the natural status
of the Chinese populations. Recently, and partly as a result of the clarification of its status
in Vietnam it has been assessed as Endangered following criteria B1ab(i, iv) and B2ab(i, iv),
D under the IUCN (2001) criteria (Farjon et al., 2004b). In Vietnam, Glyptostrobus should
be listed as Critically Endangered under categories A2c, B1ab(i-v), B2ab(i-v) and C1 (see
Annex 1 for explanation of IUCN, 2001 criteria). The extent of occurrence and the area of
occupancy are considerably less than 100 km2 and 10 km2 respectively. The two extant
populations remaining in Vietnam can be regarded as severely fragmented and, based on
the current observed health of the trees in both populations and the types of threats
described above, there will be a continuing decline in the area, extent and quality of habitat.
The overall Vietnamese population contains less than 250 mature individuals and, with the
level of damage caused by recent fires and the likelihood that they will reoccur, a further
decline of 25 % within the next generation would be a reasonable estimate.
Glyptostrobus
pensilis (Staunt.)
K. Koch
1, 3. Cone-bearing
branchlet and
seed cones.
2. Branchlet with
adult leaves.
4. Seed, adaxial
view.
5-6. Juvenile branchlet
and juvenile leaf.
(1-4 drawn from Thien
Can & Minh Tuan T
031-7095 & Vu Van
Can s.n., 5-6- from Vu
Van Can s.n. by Pham
Van Quang).
Description
An upright tree with a pyramidal crown becoming broader with age, smallest branches
usually deciduous, reaching up to 20 m high with a dbh to 1 m. Pneumatophores often
60
found around the partly buttressed base of the tree. It is found in closed evergreen swamp
forests dominated by Syzygium, Dipterocarpus obtusifolius and Elaeocarpus (mean annual
temperature 22-240C, annual rainfall 1300-1800 mm) on a basalt substrate from 550 – 750
m amsl. No other conifers are indigenous to this area. Natural regeneration has not been
reported.
Distribution
In Vietnam it is only known from Dac Lac (Ea H'leo, Krong Nang). It may have been more
widespread in the past, at least in Gia Lai and Lam Dong. Most records from south-east
China refer to cultivated or naturalised trees but there may be several areas in which
original populations or remnants of populations also occur. This situation makes is
currently very difficult to evaluate the IUCN status of this species on a global scale. Reports
of its occurrence in Khammouan province in Laos are based on verbal reports by visiting
Vietnamese foresters (Thomas et al., 2004d).
Uses 104
0
108 0 112
0
Previously used for construction and craftwork. In

China, timber from naturally fallen trees is used for 220 220
boat building and bridge construction as it is water

resistant. It has a very attractive habit and is suitable
for planting near water. In China it is often planted on 18
0
18
0
flood banks for stabilisation (Fu Li-kuo et al., 1999d).

Threats
In Vietnam, Glyptostrobus is confined to two small 14
0
14
0
nature reserves surrounded by coffee plantations. Its

extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are
considerably less than 100 km2 and 10 km2 respectively. 10
0
10
0
The estimated total population contains less than 250

mature individuals. Both populations are declining 104
0
108
0
112
0
and face considerable threats from fires and habitat Glyptostrobus pensilis
changes, primarily conversion to agriculture.
P r o t e cted A rea status
The largest population, (c. 220 trees) is located in a small 50 ha reserve at Earal while the
second, (c. 34 individuals) is within a larger reserve (100 ha) at Trap Kso.
Glyptostrobus is listed in Group I of the ‘Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna of Vietnam’
(Council of Ministers Decree 18/1992/HDBT)12. Under this legislation reserves and
management plans had to be established. Exploitation and use are forbidden. Further legal
protection was given under Law on Environmental Protection13 that was aimed at
regulating developments in the surrounding areas. The Dac Lac Provincial People’s
Committee declared reserves for both populations in 1994. Management boards and
management plans along with guard stations and fences were established (Tordoff et al.,
2004).
12 See footnote 1.
13 Government Decree 175/1994/CP, dated 18/10/1994 on Guiding the Implementation for the
Environmental Protection Law.
61

The area covered by the reserves and the size of the populations within them is too small to
guard against stochastic events such as fire over the longer term. Due to the extensive
clearance of the surrounding areas there is no possibility of linking the reserves to other
suitable areas. Despite these problems, the efforts at in situ conservation should be
maintained, not least because the swamp community (particularly at Earal) may represent
assemblages that no longer occur anywhere else. A full survey of both reserves is needed
before this potential benefit can be assessed.
The critical state of the remaining trees makes some form of ex situ conservation essential.
The Forest Science Institute of Vietnam has been attempting to establish an ex situ
collection for a number of years. Seed collections have been made repeatedly but no
germination has been recorded. Attempts at vegetative propagation by FSIV have also been
largely unsuccessful, probably due to the senescent state of most of the trees and the
consequent lack of suitable propagating material. A limited number of clones have been
successfully rooted and are being grown on at the FSIV research centre in Dalat. If these
clones can be established, then other techniques could be used to produce material for ex
situ work. At the RBGE the use of cone induction techniques have successfully produced
viable seed from this species. Tissue culture is another potential option (Thomas et al.,
2004d).
62
Taiwania cryptomerioides H a y a t a Plate XII

Bách tán Đài Loan (Vietnamese), Taiwan shan (Chinese), Chaz Kauz (Cha Cau) (H’mong).
Synonymy: Taiwania flousiana Gaussen.
Conservation status
Global status VULNERABLE A1d
Proposed national assessment CRITICALLY ENDANGERED A2c, B1ab (i-v), B2ab (i-v), C2a(ii)
Globally this species was listed as Vulnerable; however, the size of the single Vietnamese
population is currently estimated to be around only 130 trees within an area of less than 3
km2. It is therefore classified as Critically Endangered at the national level using IUCN
(2001) criteria.
Taiwania cryptomerioides
Hayata
1, 8-9. Cone-bearing branchlet
and seed cones.
2. Young tree branchlet.
3. Leaf of young branchlet,
abaxial view.
4-7. Leaves of old branchlet,
adaxial and abaxial
views.
12-13. Seeds, adaxial view.
(Drawn from NTH 5154 by Bui
Xuan Chuong ).
Description
An emergent, single stemmed tree, broadly pyramidal or with few large horizontal branches
and pendulous branchlets in upper crown. It reaches up to 40 m high with a dbh to 1.2 m.
It is found on granite derived soils from 1800 – 2100 m amsl and in areas with mean annual
0 0
temperature about 13 C with the mean temperature of the hottest month less than 17 C,
annual rainfall over 3000 mm with no dry months. Found associated with Fokienia
hodginsii. Natural regeneration episodic, thought to be limited by frequent fires.
Distribution
A single, small disjunct population in Vietnam has recently been found in Lao Cai (Van
Ban). It was evaluated and assessed as indigenous following field studies by several of the
authors of this report (Nguyen Tien Hiep et al., 2002; Farjon et al., 2004a). Outside of
Vietnam it is found in Myanmar and China (Yunnan and Taiwan). The isolation of the
Vietnamese trees means that they represent a distinct population.
63
0 0 0
104 108 112
Uses
This tree produces very high quality timber for 220 22
0
construction (including roofing shingles), furniture and

coffins (Fu Li-kuo & Jin Jian-ming, 1992). It is also a
very ornamental tree suitable for montane areas and is 18
0 0
18
known to contain compounds with anti-cancer and

insecticidal properties (Kan He et al., 1997). The species
has considerable cultural significance in China due to its 14
0
0
14
longevity and stature. It could potentially be the tallest
tree in Vietnam and have similar flagship value.
Threats 10 0 10
0
This species is extensively exploited for its valuable timber in

Myanmar, Yunnan and Taiwan. The Vietnamese 104
0
108 0 112
0
population has suffered from felling in the past (possibly by Taiwania cryptomerioides
the SFE as well as local people) and regeneration is restricted
by the continued use of fires in the area following clearance (whether through a natural fire or
from harvesting over 40 years ago) for grazing purposes. Naturally this species is thought to
require fire to regenerate, but the frequency and intensity of artificial fires in the Van Ban area
allows woody angiosperms, scrub and grass to take over. As a result, most of the remaining trees
are restricted to rocky areas that are not subject to burning. Due to the extremely fragmented
forest remnants in which it occurs (c. 90% of forest within the area of occurrence has been
destroyed) any further fires will now directly threaten the remaining trees (Farjon et al., 2004a).
P r o t e ct ed A rea status
Currently the population is not within a protected area; however, Lao Cai Forest Protection
Department and Flora & Fauna International (Vietnam) are currently working on a
community based conservation project in an attempt to ensure its in situ conservation.
Seed collection aimed at providing material for restoration work as well as seed banking
and utilisation trials has been undertaken by the Central Forest Seed Company as part of its
project with the International Conifer Conservation Programme (Thomas & Nguyen Duc
To Luu, 2004a). It is planned to return over 250 seedlings to near the site in early 2005 with
local community cooperation. Work is under way to mark individual trees and assess the
level of regeneration.
This species should be included in Group IA of the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna
and Vietnam Red Data Book for full protection. The site of the trees should be established as a
nature reserve with strong local community involvement in this remote area. Fire breaks
should be installed around remaining populations. Awareness raising and community
development programs should be implemented, especially for people in Phinh Ngai and Lung
Cung villages, Nam Co Commune, Yen Bai Province who live closest to the remaining trees.
Seed collection and production of planting materials should serve for on-site replanting and
restoration work in order to reconnect metapopulations. Reforestation work will require the
appropriate involvement of Van Ban State Forest Enterprise as the trees are currently on land
assigned for their management. Research into possible genetic variation between all
populations would be useful for understanding the evolutionary history of the species.
National and international collaboration therefore is important in conservation of the species.
64
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis F a r j o n & H i e p Plate XIII

Bách vàng (Vietnamese), Golden Cypress (English).
Conservation status
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED B2ab (v)
Global status
[CRITICALLY ENDANGERED B1ab(ii-v), 2ab(ii-v)]
Proposed national assessment CRITICALLY ENDANGERED B1ab(ii-v), 2ab(ii-v)
This species is listed as Critically Endangered due to its restricted occurrence, limited
habitat, and the effects of selective logging and forest fire. The most recent survey recorded
a total of 561 trees scattered over three communes, only 290 of which were mature trees
(To Van Thao et al., 2004).
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis
Farjon & Hiep
A. Branchlet with scale leaves
and seed cones.
B. Branchlet with scale leaves
and needle leaves.
C. Branchlet with scale leaves.
D. Branchlet with needle leaves.
E. Detail of upper and lower
side of needle leaf.
F. Branchlet with pollen cone.
G. Microsporophyll with two
microsporangia.
H, I. Seed cones, closed and open.
J. Seeds.
[A, C, F-J from Harder et al. 6091;
B, D, E from Harder et al. 6224.
(Illustration by Aljos Farjon).
Description
Tree with pyramidal habit when young, broad, flattened crown when mature, reaching up
to 15 m high with a dbh to 0.8 m. One of the striking morphological features of
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis is the occurrence of two distinct types of leaves on many mature
trees. It has both branches with juvenile leaves and those with mature, scale-like leaves.
Only the latter type bears either male or female cones. It is found in the second layer of the
primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal coniferous Pseudotsuga sinensis submontane
forests on top ridge of highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains (mean
annual temperature 14-180C, annual rainfall 2000 - 2400 mm). Found scattered associated
65
with Nageia fleuryi, Podocarpus pilgeri, Calocedrus rupestris, Taxus chinensis and
Amentotaxus sp. Natural regeneration is rare; saplings contribute about 10-15% of total
number of trees (To Van Thao et al., 2004).
Distribution
Very narrow local endemic to Bat Dai Son limestone 104
0
108 0 112
0
massif, Quan Ba District in Ha Giang Province.

220 220
Uses
Locally valued for its fragrant, durable timber.
Threats 18
0
18
0
The already small population is primarily threatened

by forest fragmentation and by selective logging
(Farjon et al., 2004a). Regeneration is variable; recent 14
0
14
0
seed collections from specific localities and subsequent

germination trails have not been successful (Nguyen
Duc To Luu, 2004; unpublished data). 10
0 0
10

All of the population lies within the Provincial 104
0
108 0 112
0
Protected Area of Bat Dai Son. Local logging remains a Xanthocyparis vietnamensis
problem.
Vegetative propagation trials have been successfully undertaken by the Central Forest Seed
Company with 30 clones. Seed trials are ongoing (To Van Thao et al., 2004; Nguyen Duc
To Luu, 2004, unpublished data) and replanting programmes are also being undertaken by
Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources in the Bat Dai Son Provincial Protected Area.
This species should be fully protected by law by inclusion in Group IA of the List of Rare
and Precious Flora and Fauna and Vietnam Red Data Book. Awareness-raising, especially
in Thanh Van Commune where most of the illegal logging occurs (To Van Thao et al.,
2004), is important for effective conservation. Seed study and propagation work should be
promoted to providing planting material for restoration. On-site replanting is necessary to
increase population size to ensure increased regeneration in the future.
66
PINACEAE
Abies delavayi Franch.

s u b s p . f a n s i p a n e n s i s (Q.P. Xiang) Rushforth
Vân sam Fan Si Pan (Vietnamese).
This tree has previously been known as Abies delavayi var. nukiangensis in major references
such as Vietnam Red Data Book (Anon., 1996) and the Flore du Cambodge, du Laos et du
Viet Nam (Nguyen Tien Hiep & Vidal, 1996). It was redescribed as a new species (Xiang
Qiao-ping, 1997) on the basis of cone characters and then reduced to a subspecies by
Rushforth (1999).
Conservation status
Global status LEAST CONCERN
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE D1
Globally the threat status of this subspecies has not been evaluated. Based on the new IUCN
(2001) criteria, the national assessment for this subspecies should be changed to
Vulnerable, due to its small population size, limited distribution and vulnerability to forest
fires. In Vietnam it is listed in Group I (i.e. strict no use by law) of the List of Rare and
Precious Species.
Abies delavayi Franch.

subsp. fansipanensis
(Q.P. Xiang)
Rushforth
1. Cone-bearing
branchlet and seed
cone.
2. Young branchlet.
3. Leaf, abaxial view.
5. Seed, abaxial view.
6. Bract and seed scale,
abaxial view.
7. Seed scale, adaxial
view.
Drawn from Nguyen Van
Dien 7095 by Pham Van
Quang).
Description
An upright tree, 15-20 m tall with a dbh to 1m that grows on the high slopes and ridges of
Mt Fan Si Pan from 2600 – 3000 m amsl in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal
mixed subalpine forest. Mean annual temperatures 8.8-10.80 C at an elevation of 2170 m
amsl and annual rainfall of 2,500 mm - 3,500 mm are extrapolated from data gathered at
67
Hoang Lien Son station (Nguyen Khanh Van et al., 2000). This subspecies can be found
partly in bamboo-dominated vegetation and is locally dominant on granite derived soils
where it is associated with Tsuga dumosa. Seed is shed annually but seedlings are not shade
tolerant and it requires some disturbance for establishment.
Distribution
This subspecies is endemic to Mt Fan Si Pan in Lao Cai 104
0
108 0 112
0
Province. Abies delavayi is widespread in south-

220 0
western China and extends into the Himalayan areas 22
of Myanmar and north-eastern India.

Uses 18
0
18
0
Due to the small size of the population that is situated

far from villages, it is not used economically in
Vietnam. In China Abies delavayi timber is used for 14
0
0
14
construction and tannin is extracted from the bark.

Threats
The entire known population is situated on the tallest 10
0
10
0
mountain in Vietnam and within the Hoang Lien

National Park. Plans to build a ‘road’ to the summit of 104
0
108 0 112
0
Mt Fan Si Pan could present a threat to this species.

Abies delavayi subsp. fansipanensis
Other threats include fire and the lack of natural
regeneration. Cutting of trees on the mountain, both
for trekking tourists and for possible local use threaten this tree. However, remoteness at
present causes difficult access of at least the highest occurring trees. The same species
(different subspecies) is fairly heavily exploited in similar mountains in Yunnan, China.
Risks may increase in the near future unless specific protection in the form of a logging ban
and some form of enforcement are implemented.
The only known population lies within Hoang Lien National Park.
No ex situ conservation programmes involve this taxon.
Since the threats for the species are real e.g. growth in tourism on Mt. Fan Si Pan and may
increase in the future, regular monitoring of the threats is essential for conservation. This
should enable preventative measures to be taken as those threats become evident.
68
Keteleeria davidiana ( B e r t r a n d ) B e i s s n . Plate VI

Du sam núi đá (Vietnamese), tie jian shan (Chinese).
Conservation status
Existing national status ENDANGERED
Proposed national assessment ENDANGERED A2cd, B1ab(iii), B2ab(ii), D
This species of pine is widely distributed in southern China and therefore is not considered
threatened globally. Within Vietnam, the two small populations that have been discovered
could represent disjunct outlying populations. Recent distribution maps for the Chinese
populations indicate the nearest Chinese populations are more than 100 km away (Ying
Tsun-shen et al., 2003) making it unlikely that there is currently any genetic exchange
between them. Field observations by Vietnamese botanists indicate that there were
intervening populations in the recent past so that the now isolated Vietnamese localities
were once part of a more continuous population. This makes it difficult to assess the
significance of isolation of the Vietnamese localities and to apply the IUCN categories. The
recent Regional Guidelines (IUCN, 2003) state that “provided that the regional population
to be assessed is isolated from conspecific populations outside the region, the IUCN Red
List Criteria (IUCN, 2001) can be used without modification within any geographically
defined area”. If this is done then the Vietnamese population would be assessed as
Endangered on the basis of their size (criterion D) alone. They also meet the criteria for
A2cd, B1ab(iii), B2ab(ii).
Keteleeria davidiana
(Bertrand) Beissn.
1. Cone-bearing branchlet
and seed cone.
3. Leaf, adaxial view.
abaxial view.
(Drawn from NTH 3733 by
Pham Van Quang).
Description
A large tree, 20-25 m tall, 0.6-0.8 m dbh (or more) with a flat semi-hemisphere shape. It is
found in small groups of 3-5 trees intercalated in closed evergreen tropical seasonal
submontane forests dominated by Pseudotsuga sinensis and restricted to the upper ridges of
highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains at the elevation of 550-700 m
69
0
amsl, (mean annual temperature c. 20 C, annual rainfall above 1500 mm). Mainly
associated with Pseudotsuga sinensis, rarely with Calocedrus rupestris and Pinus
kwangtungensis. Natural regeneration occasional, saplings very rare.
Distribution
Known only from two small populations in two adjacent very restricted localities in Na Ri
district of Bac Can Province. Outside Vietnam it is found in central and south China.
Uses 104
0
108 0 112
0
This species produces valuable, straight grained, finely

220 220
textured, yellowish, smoothly veined timber that is
resistant to termites and insects. The wood is easy to work
with and is popular for house building, especially for
making furniture or walls. 18
0
18
0
Threats
Forest fragmentation and restricted populations, forest 14
0
0
14
fire and overexploitation for timber. There are less than

100 mature individuals left.
Protected Area status 10
0
10
0
One of two localities where this species is found is in Kim

Hy NR. 104
0
108 0 112
0
Current conservation measures Keteleeria davidiana

None are implemented at present.
The two localities in Na Ri District of Bac Can Province represent the only occurrence of
this species in Vietnam. These sites should be given as much protection from logging and
fire as possible. Seed collections should be made and seed either stored or used to support a
local replanting programme if that is feasible. The support and participation of the local
community are essential.
70
Keteleeria evelyniana Mast.

Du sam núi đất, Ngo tùng (Vietnamese).
Synonymy: K. roulettii (A. Chev.) Flous
Conservation status
Existing national status VULNERABLE
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A2cd
Globally, this species is not currently listed as threatened due to its wider distribution in
Laos and China. In Vietnam, however, it has been listed as Vulnerable (Anon., 1996).
Deployment of IUCN (2001) criteria would support this assessment qualifying it under
criteria A2cd: a continuing population size reduction of at least 30 % over the last three
generations due to persistent habitat loss and direct exploitation (see threats section
below).
Keteleeria evelyniana
Mast.
1. Seed cone.
abaxial view.
and pollen cones.
(Drawn from P 5204 by Pham
Van Quang).
Description
An upright, single stemmed tree with an irregular branching habit, older trees with a broad
crown, reaching up to 30 m high with a dbh to 1.5 m. It is found in warm primary and
secondary closed evergreen tropical seasonal mixed or coniferous submontane forests with
Fagaceae, Lauraceae and Pinus kesiya (in some areas) on neutral soils (mean annual
temperature 18-220C, annual rainfall above 1500 mm), from 1000-1600 m amsl
(occasionally 500-2000 m amsl). Found associated with Fokienia hodginsii, Calocedrus
macrolepis (c. 900 m amsl), Nageia wallichiana, Dacrycarpus imbricatus, Podocarpus
71
neriifolius, Cephalotaxus mannii and Pinus latteri. Natural regeneration is abundant, though
seedlings are intolerant of heavy shade and maybe be dependent on regular fires.
Distribution
In Vietnam, it is found in Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien-
Hue, Kon Tum, Dac Lac, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan. It also occurs in Laos
and is quite widespread in southern China, although it is often difficult to determine which
Chinese populations are within primary unaltered forests and which have been managed.
Although the Vietnamese populations are likely to represent only a small part of the global
population, they may represent distinct provenances.
0 0 0
104 108 112
Uses
K. evelyniana produces a yellow-white timber that is 220 22
0
insect resistant and is useful for construction and

household furniture making. This species can be used
in plantations as it grows relatively quickly. 18
0
18
0
Threats
In many areas of Vietnam, it has been overexploited for
timber by local people and large parts of its natural 14
0
14
0
habitat have been converted to agriculture.

Some stands are protected within protected areas such 10 0 10
0
as Bach Ma NP in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Ngoc

0
108 0 0
Linh NR in Kon Tum Province, Bi Doup NR in the 104 112
Central Highlands. Keteleeria evelyniana

This species is included in Group IIA of the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna. The
CFSC has initiated a programme for the establishment of seed orchards in Lam Dong, Lai
Chau and Lang Son. Seed collection and field trials and monitoring of natural regeneration
are also being undertaken in Son La by FSIV.
Exploitation of the species is limited by GoV policy so in theory, this tree is safeguarded in
protected forests. However, raising awareness for local people and relevant government
agencies is an essential conservation action as the main threat is local logging.
Establishment of ex situ gene conservation areas should be expanded to include the full
range of available provenances. Silviculture trials should be further promoted to provide
useful data for plantation efforts for commercial and local uses.
72
Pinus dalatensis Fe r r é Plate VIII

Thông Đà Lạt (Vietnamese).
Conservation status
Global status VULNERABLE B1 + 2c
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE B1ab (iii,v), 2ab(iii,v)
Globally and nationally this species is currently listed as Vulnerable (B1 + 2c). It is known
from fewer than 10 distinct locations and there has been a continuing decline in the extent
and quality of its habitat. The majority of the populations are limited to less than 100
mature trees in each.
Pinus dalatensis Ferré

and seed cones.
2. Leaf fascicle.
3. Base of leaf bundle.
4. Leaf distal portion,
abaxial view.
(Drawn from VH 5354 by
Pham Van Quang).
Description
A straight-trunked tree with wide spreading crown, reaching up to 25 m high (sometimes
taller) with a dbh to 1.2 m. It is found as an emergent over primary closed evergreen
tropical seasonal coniferous or mixed submontane and montane forests on flat mountain
ridges as well as on foothills near streams, on heavy clay and yellow ferralitic soils with a
0
distinct humus layer (mean annual temperature 16-21 C, annual rainfall above 1800 mm)
1000 – 2600 m amsl. Found associated with Pinus krempfii, Fokienia hodginsii and
Dacrydium elatum in the southernmost part of the Central Highlands, and in small patches
within Fagaceae and Lauraceae dominated forests in central Vietnam. Natural regeneration
involves the rapid growth of young trees until they reach the canopy, broad crowns then
73
develop. Seedlings are shade intolerant. This species may require periodic fire to provide
clearings for regeneration. Trees may live for several hundred years. The cones, foliage and
shoots show a wide range of variation within and between populations, for which reason
the species has recently been divided into var. dalatensis Businsky, var. bidoupensis Businsky
and subsp. procera Businsky (Businsky, 1999).
Distribution
This is local endemic in the southern part of Truong Son (Annamite Mountain) range of
Vietnam and Laos. In Vietnam it is known from Thua Thien-Hue (Phu Loc), Kon Tum
(Ngoc Linh, Kon Plong), Gia Lai (Kon Ka Kinh NR), Dac Lac (Chu Yang Sinh and other
massifs), Lam Dong, (Bi Doup mountain), Ninh Thuan (Phuoc Binh). Its precise
distribution in Laos is uncertain (Griejmans, 2002).
0
104 108 0 112
0
Uses
The rarity of this species means that it has not been used 220 22
0
as a timber tree although its wood has similar properties

to that of Pinus kesiya. This species could have a high
ornamental value in montane areas. Similar five-needle 18
0
18
0
pines imported from China are considered as good

material for bonsai.
Threats 14
0
14
0
In the past, logging of the associated Fokienia has also

involved felling of P. dalatensis. Current threats include
the destruction of surrounding forests through the 10
0
10
0
continuation of shifting cultivation and the replacement

of forests with fire adapted Pinus kesiya dominated 104
0
108 0 112
0
forests. Pinus dalatensis

The main populations in Kon Tum, Dac Lac, Lam Dong and Ninh Thuan are all within
recently declared national parks and nature reserves.
Regular monitoring of forest fires and local logging is the primary course of action for
conservation of this species. Understanding the response of this tree to forest fire is
important to ensure suitable regeneration. Genetic variation in species seems to be high, so
ex situ gene conservation areas should be set up for the species. However, appropriate sites
should be well chosen since this pine may require specific growing conditions, including
the presence of mycorrhiza.
74
Pinus kesiya R o y l e
Thông ba lá (Vietnamese), Khasya Pine (English).
Synonymy: Pinus insularis Endl., P. langbianensis A. Chev.
Conservation status
Proposed national assessment LEAST CONCERN
Due to its widespread distribution across South East Asia including Vietnam, this pine is
not listed as threatened. This may change depending on the assessment of the remaining
natural populations.
Pinus kesiya Royle

and seed cones.
2. Leaf fascicle.
(Drawn from P 3825 by
Nguyen Quang Hung ).
Description
A tall, single stemmed tree with a thin, umbrella shaped crown, reaching up to 35 m high
with a dbh to 1 m. It is usually found in pure stands, sometimes with broad-leaved species
as understory on infertile red and yellow podzolic soils with pH around 4.5 (mean annual
temperature 14-200C, annual rainfall above 1500 mm) from 1300 – 2300 m amsl
(occasionally down to 800m). Found associated with Pinus latteri and Keteleeria evelyniana
on foothills. Heavy seed crops are produced each year and seedlings establish in disturbed
areas. Trees are resistant to fires after 15 years.
75
Distribution
In Vietnam (including managed forests) it is found in Ha Giang, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dac
Lac, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Dong Nai. It has also been reported from
Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Dac Nong. The major forests are in Lam Dong, Kon Tum,
Ha Giang. Outside Vietnam it is widespread from north-east India, Myanmar throughout
southern China to the Philippines.
0
104 108 0 112
0
Uses
One of the most common pines used for plantations in 220 22
0
highland areas, natural forests have been heavily

managed to maximise timber production. Plantations
are generally established by using the best local source for 18
0
18
0
seed.
Threats
Globally, this species is not currently regarded as 14
0
14
0
threatened. Within Vietnam, there is some uncertainty

about the extent of the remaining natural forests and the
extent to which local provenances have been used for 10
0
10
0
replanting. Most of the forests on the Da Lat plateau are

managed for timber, watershed protection and erosion 104
0
108 0 112
0
control. These forests tend to be even-aged which may Pinus kesiya

have consequences for their re-establishment due to
changes in the occurrence of important mycorrhiza associated with young trees as the age
of the forest increases (Ingleby et al., 2004).
Some original stands are protected in national parks on the Langbian Plateau
Due to the economic value of this species, seed orchards have been established for gene
conservation and tree improvement.
The species is widely used in timber plantations and the Vietnamese populations have been
recognised as distinct provenances (Hansen et al., 2003). Therefore, it is important to
conserve the genetic variation in different provenances for future tree improvement.
Selected sources can be chosen for this purpose. A comprehensive survey of the status of
the remaining natural forests needs to be carried out.
76
Pinus krempfii Le comte Plate IX

Thông lá dẹt (Vietnamese), Krempf’s pine (English).
Synonymy: Ducampopinus krempfii (Lecomte) A. Chev.
Conservation status
VULNERABLE B1+2c
Global status
[VULNERABLE B1ab (i-iii), 2ab(i-iii)]
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE B1ab (i-iii), 2ab(i-iii)
Pinus krempfii has been listed globally as Vulnerable. There are fewer than 10 distinct
2
populations in a total area of occupancy that is less than 2,000 km , and there has been a
continuing decline in the area, extent and quality of its habitat (Farjon et al., 2004a).
Pinus krempfii Lecomte

and seed cones.
4. Leaf bundle.
Pham Van Quang).
Description
A tall emergent tree, broad domed with a single straight, buttressed stem. Tree reaches up
to 30 m high with a dbh to 2 m. It is found in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal
mixed and coniferous submontane and montane forests (mean annual temperature 14-
200C, rainfall above 1500 mm) on moist silicate derived soils with well-developed humus
layers from 1500 - 1800 (occasionally 1200-2000) m amsl. Found associated with Fokienia
hodginsii, Pinus dalatensis and Dacrydium elatum. Very little is known about its ecology.
Distribution
This species is a localised endemic in the southern Truong Son Range, in areas such as the
Hon Vong Phu, Chu Yang Sinh and Bi Doup Massifs in Dac Lac, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa
and Ninh Thuan Provinces.
77
Uses
0
104 108 0 112
0
Its timber is thought to have similar qualities to Pinus 220 22

0
kesiya, but its rarity means that it is not a major source of

timber. It has high scientific value due to its unique
characters. 0
18 0
18
Threats
The recent decline of this species has been attributed to
the effects of the American War in the 1960s and the 14
0
14
0
clearance of land for agriculture in the following decades.

Its limited distribution and the inaccessibility of much of
its habitat mean that there has been little direct 0 0
10 10
exploitation (Farjon et al., 2004a).
P r o t e cted A rea status 104
0
108 0 112
0
Most populations are within recently established nature Pinus krempfii

reserves around the Bi Doup massif (Farjon et al.,
2004a).
This species is listed in Group IIA of the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna for
limited use. Attempts on domestication of the species by FSIV have not been successful as it
appears to have very specific conditions for growing.
Although most populations are in protected areas it is important that management plans
for these sites reflect the status of knowledge concerning ecology and regeneration
potential. It is also important to learn the cultivation requirements and study aspects of its
biology through the establishment of ex situ collections in montane areas. Research into its
ecology, population dynamics and genetic diversity is needed to build on the preliminary
work done by Texas A&M University (Williams, 1999).
78
Pinus kwangtungensis C h u n e x T s i a n g Plate IX

Thông Pà Cò (Vietnamese), Guangdong wuzhen song (Chinese).
Note: There is considerable debate about the status of this species. Some taxonomists
regard P. kwangtungensis as a synonym of Pinus fenzeliana Hand.-Mazz. The Son La
populations have also been identified as Pinus wangii Hu & W.C. Cheng, originally
described from southern Yunnan. Other taxonomists treat the Vietnamese populations as a
completely different species (Pinus eremitana Businsky, 2004).
Conservation status
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A2acd, C1
In the global red listings P. kwangtungensis is considered to be a synonym of P. fenzeliana,

which is listed as Near-threatened. In Vietnam, P. kwangtungensis has been considered as a
distinct species that was evaluated as Vulnerable (Anon., 1996) and Endangered (Nguyen Duc
To Luu & Thomas, 2004) due to its small, fragmented populations, restricted habitat and
persistent localised logging. Under the new criteria, and as a result of more extensive fieldwork
since its previous assessment, the national conservation status of this pine should now be
changed to Vulnerable A2acd, C1, i.e. a population size of < 10,000 mature trees that has been
reduced by at least 30 % over the last three generations due to habitat loss and direct
exploitation (see threats section below), and is expected to continue to decline by at least 10 %
over the next three generations due to continued illegal logging for locally valued timber.
Pinus kwangtungensis
Chun ex Tsiang
1. Cone-bearing branchlet and seed
cones of var. kwangtungensis.
2. Leaf distal portion, abaxial view.
3. Leaf bundle.
8. Seed cone of var. varifolia.
(1-7 drawn from VH 6743 , 8- from
HAL 1450 by Pham Van Quang).
Description
Generally a single stemmed tree with a broad crown, up to 20 m high and a dbh to 0.7 m.
Restricted to top ridges of highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains (mean
annual temperature 14-200C, rainfall above 1200 mm) on limestone soils from 900-1400 m
amsl (occasionally 600-1600 m amsl), forming pure stands of primary closed evergreen
79
tropical seasonal coniferous submontane forests of Pseudotsuga sinensis, Fokienia hodginsii

and Xanthocyparis vietnamensis. It is associated with scattered trees of Podocarpus pilgeri,
Nageia fleuryi, Cephalotaxus mannii and Taxus chinensis. Natural regeneration is very rare
and seedlings are intolerant of shade.
Distribution
Vietnam: Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Can, Son La, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. Improved
knowledge of the distribution of P. kwangtungensis suggests that there may be two areas
that could be defined as subpopulations – localities in Ha Giang, Cao Bang and adjoining
provinces, and secondly, localities around Son La, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa Provinces.
Within each of these areas the scattered distribution along ridges may allow sufficient gene
flow for each locality to be considered part of a larger meta-population.
Outside of Vietnam it is found in southern China. 104
0
108 0 112
0
Uses 220 22
0
Selectively logged on a local scale, timber is used for local

house construction; resin is used as a glue. Potentially a
bonsai species. 18
0
18
0
Threats
Local logging and increased forest fire resulting from
changes in land-use are threats to this species due to its 14
0
14
0
limited habitat, distribution and its low natural

regeneration.
P r o t e c t ed A rea status 10 0 10
0
Only two populations are known to occur within nature 0

104 108 0 0
reserves (Kim Hy NR and Hang Kia - Pa Co NR), though 112
other populations are in areas that have been proposed Pinus kwangtungensis
(Thang Heng, Pu Luong). All the remaining populations require the enforcement of the
regulations relating to strict protection from illegal logging and therefore sale of the wood.
This species is included in Group IA of the List of Rare and Precious Flora and Fauna.
Although the species is strictly protected by the Decree 48/2002/ND-CP14, efforts should be
focused on conservation of the species both inside and outside of protected areas. Important
populations in Son La, Ha Giang, Cao Bang should be protected from local logging and man-
made fires. Raising awareness among state agencies as well as increasing community
involvement in conservation and possible domestication is therefore crucial for conservation.
Populations within Vietnam represent the southern range of this species. Those in Son La are
disjunct from those in the northern provinces and the adjoining Chinese provinces and are
therefore worth conserving from a genetic point of view. One way that this can be achieved is
through seed collection and storage, with some seeds being used to establish trial plantations in
different areas. Seed research therefore is the first step since the species seems to have difficult
seed physiology for storage and germination. Studies on reproductive biology can also guide in
situ restoration work since the species regenerates poorly in natural habitats.
14 see footnote 1.
80
Pinus latteri Manson

Thông nhựa (Vietnamese), Thông hai lá (Vietnamese)
Note: In Vietnam, the majority of taxonomic accounts, including the recent Flore du
Cambodge, du Laos et du Vietnam (Nguyen Tien Hiep & Vidal, 1996) along with forestry
manuals refer to the Vietnamese populations as P. merkusii. However, the recent World
Checklist of Conifers (Farjon, 2001) restricts the distribution of Pinus merkusii to the
Philippines and Indonesia; populations in mainland South East Asia, including those in
Vietnam are referred to as Pinus latteri Manson. This taxonomic treatment is also used in
the recent Flora of China account of Pinaceae (Fu Li-kuo et al., 1999a).
Conservation status
Proposed national assessment ENDANGERED A2cd
This pine is currently listed as Near-threatened. This assessment is currently under review
due to increasing concerns about the decline and fragmentation in other parts of its range
as well as within Vietnam (DFSC, 2000). Recent surveys have found that the native
populations in Vietnam now have total areas less than 1,000 km2 in less than 10 locations.
The high rates of land conversion and timber and resin exploitation pose a significant
threat to natural populations (Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004). This species should be listed as
Endangered nationally. In view of this national assessment, it is desirable to re-assess the
global status of Pinus latteri, as similar conditions may prevail in much of its range.
Pinus latteri Manson

pollen cones.
young seed cones.
3. Opened ripe seed cone.
(1-2 drawn from specimens

cultivated in Hanoi, s.n., 3- from
specimen cultivated in Hue, Feb.
1982, s.n. by Pham Van Quang).
Description
A tall, single stemmed tree, clean boled with irregular branches forming light canopy. It
reaches up to 30 m high with a dbh to 0.6-0.8 or more metres. It is found either in pure
stands with sparse understory or with broad-leaved trees e.g. Dipterocarpus obtusifolius in
periodically inundated areas in the rainy season (mean annual temperature 19-230C, annual
rainfall above 1300 mm) on infertile red and yellow feralite soils with pH around 4.5, from
600-1200 m amsl. Found associated with Pinus kesiya on foothill and lower part of slopes at
higher altitudes. Natural regeneration is light demanding and able to colonise bare ground.
81
Distribution
Within Vietnam natural forests of Pinus latteri can now only be found at high altitudes in
Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dac Lac, Dac Nong, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Nghe An.
The largest native population is in Lam Dong. Highland populations in Moc Chau and Yen
Chau, Son La Province are heavily exploited for timber and plantations in the areas are set
up using material derived from lowland provenances. Outside of these areas natural forests
have either been replaced by managed forests or by plantation. In the past there possibly
were natural forests in lowland areas such as Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe
An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue. Lowland populations are distinct from
those in the highlands, especially in the length of reproductive cycle (13-15 months for
highland provenances and 17-19 months for lowland provenances) (Nguyen Duc To Luu,
unpublished data). Outside Vietnam it occurs in southern China, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Laos and Thailand. 104
0
108 0 112
0
Uses 220 220
This species is the most widely used indigenous

plantation tree. It produces valuable resin for industry.
Natural populations are also exploited for timber. The 0
18 0
best timber provenance is thought to be in Ky Son, Nghe 18
An Province. The largest native population in Lam Dong

is not a good provenance for timber. Plantations are 0
established using the nearest local source, whether it is a 14 0

14
plantation or a natural forest. This species produces high

quality resin after 15 years and is used for afforestation
and erosion control programmes. 10
0
10
0
Threats 104
0
108 0 112
0
Populations of P. latteri in Nghe An and Kon Tum are

Pinus latteri
threatened by local logging, sometimes at a considerable
scale. Resin extraction is killing many natural populations due to destructive (burning)
methods used by local people. Fires are common in the dry pine forests. Areas of natural
occurrence of the species are targets for agriculture conversion. Conversion to agricultural
land has already deleted all native populations in the lowlands. In Lam Dong, coffee
plantations have replaced many natural stands. Natural regeneration in some areas such as
in Kon Plong, Kon Tum Province is erratic due to irregular cone production and
competition with broadleaf species at high altitudes (> 1,000 m amsl). The use of
unsuitable lowland provenances in highland sites (e.g. Son La) is likely to lead to the loss of
locally adapted genotypes through hybridisation.
P r o t e c ted A rea status
Very few original stands are protected in natural reserves, such as in Phuoc Binh NR.
Due to the economic value of this species seed orchards and provenance trials have been
established in Lam Dong and in Quang Binh since the 1980s to conserve its genetic
variation.
Logging in areas such as Nghe An and Kon Tum need to be regulated and core areas
identified and protected as National Seed Sources.
82
Pinus wangii Hu & W.C. Cheng

Thông năm lá Thừa Lưu (Vietnamese).
Conservation status
Global status ENDANGERED B1+2bd
Proposed national assessment DATA DEFICIENT
Description
This five-needle pine was originally described in 1948 from near Malipo in Yunnan, not far
from the border with Ha Giang Province, Vietnam. It has many characters in common with
both Pinus kwangtungensis and P. fenzeliana, the principal differences are the length of the
needles, size of the cones (slightly shorter and smaller than P. kwangtungensis or P.
fenzeliana) and the colour and degree of pubescence of the first year shoots. Currently, its
distribution in China remains confined to 2 populations in Xichou and Malipo counties.
Both of these areas consist mainly of limestone karst. There is some debate as to whether
this species occurs in Vietnam. Specimens from Mai Chau, Son La have been determined as
P. wangii rather than P. kwangtungensis by the authors of the Flora of China account of
Pinaceae (Fu Li-kuo et al., 1999a). The most recent world checklist of conifers (Farjon,
2001) also uses the name P. wangii for the trees at Mai Chau. However, 5-needle pines
growing on limestone karst in Ha Giang, Cao Bang and other parts of northern Vietnam
that are much closer geographically to Yunnan have been identified as either P. fenzeliana
or P. kwangtungensis. Until Pinus wangii is more extensively studied, its status in Vietnam
remains unclear.
83
Pseudotsuga sinensis Dode Plate XI

Thiết sam giả (Vietnamese), Duanye huangshan (Chinese).
Synonymy: Pseudotsuga sinensis var. brevifolia (W.C. Cheng & L.K. Fu) Farjon & Silba.
Conservation status
Global status VULNERABLE B1+2c
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A2acd
The Chinese populations of Pseudotsuga sinensis are currently listed as Vulnerable (B1 + 2c)
due to their limited distribution and changes in the quality and extent of their habitat. In
Vietnam the total population size is unknown; at each of the specific localities where it has
been found, it is likely that other trees also occur on surrounding ridges and peaks. Under
the IUCN (2001) criteria, this species meets the criterion for A2 as it is reasonable to infer
that, due to the value of its timber and the frequency of its use by local people then there is
likely to have been at least a 30 % reduction in Vietnamese populations over the last three
generations and that there has been a decline in the area, extent and quality of its habitat.
Further fieldwork may result in an upgrading to the category of Endangered, however,
further inventories may also reveal more remote and less exploited populations in areas not
yet visited by botanists.
Pseudotsuga sinensis Dode

seed cone.
4. Part of leaf, abaxial view.
5. Branchlet with bud.
6. Bract and seed scale, abaxial
view.
7. Bract and scale, lateral view.
(Drawn from CBL 1185 by Bui
Xuan Chuong ).
Description
An upright tree with a short bole and wide spreading crown, reaching up to 10 - 15,
occasionally 18 m high with a dbh to 0.6 or more metres. It is restricted to the top ridges of
highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone areas (mean annual temperature 15-210C,
84
annual rainfall above 2000 mm), from 900-1400 (occasionally 550-1600) m amsl, usually
forming primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal submontane monodominant forests
like the ones of Pinus kwangtungensis and, but more restricted than that of Xanthocyparis
vietnamensis and Fokienia hodginsii. It is occasionally associated with Nageia fleuryi, Tsuga
chinensis, Podocarpus pilgeri, Amentotaxus yunnanensis and Taxus chinensis. Although
seedlings are frequent, saplings are rare.
Distribution
In Vietnam it is widely distributed in all limestone areas of Provinces Ha Giang, Cao Bang,
Bac Can, Lang Son. Outside of Vietnam it is found also in the adjoining limestone areas of
the Chinese provinces of Guangxi and Guizhou. The Vietnamese populations of this
species represent a significant part of the global population – they also represent the most
southern distribution of this genus in Asia. 0 0 0
104 108 112
Uses
This species is selectively logged wherever it occurs, used 220 22
0
for local house construction and furniture, and has

possibilities for plantation. Some local people (e.g. in Bac
Son) use the bark and foliage for medicine as a topical 18
0
18
0
application for treatment of insect stings, rheumatism

and during pregnancy.
0
Threats 14 14
0
The majority of the known populations have been

subject to illegal logging and many mature trees have
been removed. Other threats are forest fire and 10
0
10
0
degradation of its habitat. Some sites show recent

regeneration but it is uncertain if the young trees will 104
0
108 0 112
0
survive to maturity. Pseudotsuga sinensis
P r o t e cted A rea status:

This species is known to occur in some protected areas (Bat Dai Son NR and Kim Hy NR)
as well as in other areas that have been proposed as nature reserves (Thang Heng for
example).
Current conservation measures:
No specific measures have been implemented for this species
This species forms an important component of a highly biodiverse habitat. Measures to
protect this species should also benefit many others, especially in areas outside of national
parks or nature reserves. Development of appropriate management recommendations that
can be included in protected area management plans is an important conservation action to
assist in situ conservation. As Pseudotsuga is highly valued for local construction, trial
plantations should be established to try and meet that demand based at the commune level.
Research into cultivation and establishment requirements should also be undertaken. Seed
collection and research into germination and storage should also be undertaken.
85
Tsuga chinensis (Franch.) Pritz. ex Diels Plate XIII

Thiết sam núi đá (Vietnamese), tie shan (Chinese), Chinese hemlock (English).
This species is another recent discovery in northern Vietnam. Currently it is only known
from a few localities in the karst mountains of Ha Giang and Cao Bang . The Vietnamese
populations represent this species most southern distribution.
Conservation status
Existing global status LEAST CONCERN
Proposed national assessment ENDANGERED C1
As with Pseudotsuga, the total size and number of populations of T. chinensis in Vietnam is
uncertain. At each of the localities where Pseudotsuga has been found, it is likely that T.
chinensis also occurs on surrounding ridges and peaks although less frequently and at
higher elevations than Pseudotsuga. At a national level, the Vietnamese populations
probably meet the criteria for Endangered (C1). Further fieldwork may result in the
discovery of additional populations in more remote areas, which could lead to a
downgrading of its national conservation status.
Tsuga chinensis (Franch.)

Pritz. ex Diels
and opened seed cones.
2. Branchlet with fallen
down leaves showing
phyllotaxis.
3. Leaf, adaxial view (left)
and abaxial view (right).
4. Part of leaf, abaxial view.
5. Unopened seed cone.
7. Bract.
(Drawn from CBL 246 by Bui
Xuan Chuong ).
Description
An upright, single-stemmed tree with short bole and wide spreading crown formed from
many spreading branches. It reaches up to 15-18 m high with a dbh to 0.6-0.8 or more
metres. It is found in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal coniferous submontane
forests. In these forests it is restricted to the higher ridges on highly eroded solid crystalline
white limestone mountains. These may be dominated by Pseudotsuga sinensis or Fokienia
86
hodginsii at lower elevation (1000-1300 m amsl). At the highest elevations (1300-1600 m

amsl) it may be co-dominant. The mean annual temperature of its habitat is 15-190C,
annual rainfall above 2000 mm. The species associated are Nageia fleuryi, Podocarpus
pilgeri, Amentotaxus spp. and Taxus chinensis.
Distribution
In Vietnam, populations of this species are found in a few limestone localities close to each
other in Ha Giang and Cao Bang Provinces. Outside Vietnam it is found in central and
southern China.
0 0 0
Uses 104 108 112
Locally used for house construction and for making 220 22

0
furniture.
Threats
The majority of the known populations have been 18
0
18
0
subject to illegal logging and many mature trees have

been removed. Some sites show recent regeneration but
as so little is known about its regenerative capacity, it is 14
0
14
0
uncertain if the young trees will survive to maturity.

This species is known to occur in Bat Dai Son NR 10
0
10
0
Current conservation measures 0

104 108 0 112
0
No specific measures have been implemented thus far.

Tsuga chinensis
Prevention of illegal logging is essential for the long term conservation of this species.
Research into its ecology and biology need to be undertaken to understand its requirements
and assess its potential for utilisation. Seeds should be studied in order to improve
regeneration.
87
Tsuga dumosa (D. Don) Eichler

Thiết sam núi đất (Vietnamese).
Conservation status
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A3c, B1ab(iii), B2 ab(iii) D2
Globally, this species is not considered threatened. At a national level, the Vietnamese
populations probably meet the criteria for Vulnerable due to their small size and restricted
distribution. Further fieldwork may result in an upgrading to the category of Endangered.
The Vietnamese populations represent the most southern distribution of this genus in Asia.
Tsuga dumosa (D. Don)

Eichler
Cone-bearing branchlet and
ripe seed cones.
(Drawn from Duong Huu
Thoi 3789 by Nguyen Quang
Hung).
Description
Tall to medium trees reaching heights of up to 40 m (usually 20-25 m) and with dbh up to
1 m. Mainly restricted to the high slopes and ridges of Mt. Fan Si Pan, at an elevation of
2400-2900 m amsl in the primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal mixed subalpine
0
forests (mean annual temperature 13-18 C, annual rainfall 2000 mm - 3500 mm), partly in
fire damaged bamboo-dominated vegetation and locally dominant on granite derived soils
(Nguyen Tien Hiep & Vidal, 1996; Vu Van Dung, 1996). Associated species include Abies
delavayi subsp. fansipanensis, Podocarpus neriifolius and Fokienia hodginsii. Seedlings are
occasional, though saplings rare.
Distribution
In Vietnam Tsuga dumosa is restricted to Lao Cai and possibly Yen Bai Provinces. The main
population is on Mt Fan Si Pan. Outside of Vietnam it is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan and
88
Myanmar. In China it is found in the mountains of

0
104 108 0 112
0
south-east Xizang (Tibet), Yunnan and Sichuan. 220 0

22
Uses
In many parts of its range, this species is a valuable
timber tree used for a range of construction purposes. 18
0
18
0
The small size of the Vietnamese populations limits its

use.
Threats 14
0
14
0
The main population is situated on the tallest mountain

in Vietnam and within the Hoang Lien NP. Plans to
build a ‘road’ to its summit could present a threat as 10
0
10
0
could increased tourist and development related activity

on the mountain. Other threats include fire and the lack 104
0
108 0 112
0
of natural regeneration. Remoteness at present causes Tsuga dumosa

difficult access of at least the highest occurring trees. The
same species is fairly heavily exploited throughout its range.
This species is known to occur in Hoang Lien NP as well as in the proposed protected area
for Van Ban District, Lao Cai.
The largest known population of this species is situated on the tallest mountain in Vietnam
and within the Hoang Lien NP which includes Fan Si Pan Mountain. Development of
tourism and other activities inside the Hoang Lien NP could pose a threat to this species.
The same species is heavily exploited in similar mountains in the Himalayas. Unless specific
protection in the form of a logging ban and some form of enforcement is implemented, the
risk may well increase in the future.
Inclusion of conservation measures for this species within any management plan for the
Hoang Lien NP is essential. Staff of the Hoang Lien NP, as well as local communities, need
to understand the conservation value of this species. Implementation of GoV policy is
essential in relation to this species. As the main threat to this species in Vietnam is from
selective logging (legal and illegal), it is important that seed collection is undertaken and
trial plantations are established. Seed should also be stored. Monitoring of the species is
necessary.
89
PODOCARPACEAE
Dacrycarpus imbricatus ( B l u m e ) d e L a u b . Plate IV

Thông nàng, Thông lông gà, Bạch tùng (Vietnamese), ji mao song (Chinese).
Synonymy: Podocarpus imbricatus Blume
Conservation status
Due to its wide distribution this species is not listed as globally threatened. Nationally it has
not been previously evaluated for the Red Data Book of Plants (Anon., 1996), but has been
considered to be Vulnerable (A1cd) by Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas (2004). Under the
new IUCN (2001) criteria, it should be listed as Vulnerable (A2cd) due to the extent of
deforestation over the last three generations that continues to occur throughout its range.
(Blume) de Laub.
seeds.
2. Branchlet with juvenile
leaves.
3. Juvenile leaf, abaxial view.
4. Adult leaf, adaxial view.
5. Adult leaf, abaxial view.
seed showing bractlike leaves
at base of peduncle.
(Drawn from Vu Xuan Phuong
1153 & HAL 3088 by Pham Van
Quang).
Description
An upright tree with a long clear bole, emergent with wide, dome shaped crown, lower
branches pendulous, reaching up to 35 m high with a dbh to 1 m. It is found as an
90
emergent in primary closed tropical seasonal mixed lowland and submontane forests on
slopes and in valleys (mean annual temperature 16-220C, annual rainfall usually above 1400
mm) mostly on granite and other silicate derived soils, rarely on limestone, from 300 –
1500 m amsl. Usually associated scattered with Podocarpus neriifolius, Nageia wallichiana,
Cephalotaxus mannii and Dacrydium elatum. Natural regeneration is abundant in most
areas. Seedlings are shade tolerant when young, then light demanding.
Distribution
Within Vietnam it is widely distributed from Lao Cai, Son La, Quang Ninh, Bac Giang,
Hoa Binh and through Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da
Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, and Ninh Thuan. Reports
from Tuyen Quang, Ninh Binh, Quang Binh and Dac Lac have not been confirmed.
Outside of Vietnam it ranges from Myanmar across South East Asia to Fiji. With such an
extensive range outside of Vietnam, and even though many of these countries have
experienced significant deforestation, it seems unlikely that more than 20% of the global
population is represented in Vietnam. 0
104 108 0 112
0
Uses
This species produces fine, light, easily worked timber 220 22
0
that may be used for internal construction in houses. The

timber is not durable. It can be used for plantations as it
grows relatively fast. 18
0
18
0
Threats
In Vietnam, populations tend to be small and localised;
0
much of its habitat in lowland and sub-montane areas 14 0

14
has been destroyed through conversion to agriculture. It

has also been subject to selective felling.
0 0
10 10
This species is known from a number of protected areas 104
0
108 0 112
0
throughout its range including Hoang Lien NP, Pu Mat

NP and in several areas around Bi Doup and in northern
Central Highlands (Chu Mom Ray NP, Kon Ka Kinh NR,
Kon Cha Rang NR).
Where this tree is located in protected areas appropriate law enforcement should take place
to ensure the conifer survives in the wild. In addition steps to ensure natural regeneration
should be a priority within management planning for these sites. However, good timber
quality and relatively fast growth rate make this species potentially suitable for forest
plantations, especially in highland areas. Therefore, silviculture trial is the first step for
domestication. Widespread distribution makes it worthwhile to establish an ex situ
conservation stand including materials from all provenances. Fertile and dense populations
such as in Kon Ha Nung, Van Ban – Lao Cai, Bach Ma – Thua Thien Hue can be registered
and protected as National Seed Sources.
91
Dacrydium elatum ( R o x b . ) W a l l . Plate IV

Hoàng đàn giả, Hồng tùng, Thông đuôi chồn (Vietnamese).
Synonymy: D. pierrei Hickel
Conservation status
Globally this species is listed as Least Concern. Within Vietnam, due to extensive decline in
the area and quality of its habitat (through shifting cultivation and logging) it should be
listed as Vulnerable A2cd on the basis of the extensive deforestation over the last 50 years.
Dacrydium elatum (Roxb.)

Wall.
1. Juvenile and cone-bearing
branchlet and pollen cones.
2. Part of juvenile shoot.
3. Juvenile leaf distal portion,
abaxial view.
4, 7. Cone-bearing branchlet
and pollen cones.
5-6. Seed-bearing branchlet and
seed.
(2-3 drawn from HLF 3446, 1, 4-
7 from VH 4246 by Pham Van
Quang).
Description
An upright tree with a clear bole and ascending branches forming a small dome, reaching
up to 30 m high with a dbh to 0.8 m. It is found in primary closed evergreen tropical
seasonal mixed mainly submontane, sometimes lowland or montane forests on slopes and
ridges (usually mean annual temperature 16-220C, annual rainfall above 1700 mm) on
either granite and other silicate soils or on top ridges of highly eroded solid crystalline
white limestone mountains. Found mostly from 700 – 2000 m amsl but it has also been
92
recorded close to sea level in the southern provinces such as Kien Giang (Phu Quoc island,
where annual mean temperature is 260C, annual rainfall over 3000 mm). Outside of
Vietnam, it tends to be restricted to montane areas above 1000 m amsl. In submontane and
montane areas it is found associated with Pinus krempfii, Pinus dalatensis, Podocarpus
neriifolius, Fokienia hodginsii and Dacrycarpus imbricatus.
Distribution
Within Vietnam it is found in Tuyen Quang, Quang Ninh, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Thua
Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dac Lac, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa,
Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai and Kien Giang. Reports from Lang Son, Nghe An,
and Quang Tri have not been verified from specimens. Outside of Vietnam it is also found
in China (where it is often known as D. pierrei Hickel), Laos, Cambodia, Thailand,
Malaysia and Indonesia.
Uses
0
108 0 0
The timber is water resistant and used for boats, bridges 104 112
and furniture construction. Its resin is used for incense 220 22

0
sticks and this genus may be a source of chemicals with

insecticidal properties. In some parts of Vietnam this
species is used in combination with other species to treat 0 0
18 18
dysentery (Perry, 1980)
Threats
Threatened by forest fragmentation, selective logging 14
0
14
0
and conversion of habitat to agricultural use.

This species has been recorded from several established 10
0
10
0
national parks, nature reserves and areas proposed for

protection e.g. Na Hang NR, Pu Mat NP, Bach Ma NP, 104
0
108 0 112
0
Ba Na NR and Nui Chua NP. Dacrydium elatum

In Bach Ma there is an active research programme studying its in situ regeneration (Zeigler,
2003).
Full protection to the species where present within protected areas – including specific
inclusion within management plans for these areas. In addition the wide distribution of this
species makes it worthwhile to establish an ex situ gene conservation areas in all
provenances. Studies on species ecology (growth in island areas, reproductive biology)
should be conducted in order to understand its distribution.
93
Nageia fleuryi (Hickel) de Laub. Plate VI

Kim giao núi đá (Vietnamese) changye zhubai (Chinese).
Synonymy: Podocarpus fleuryi Hickel.
Note: in northern Vietnam this species is usually found in limestone karst formations
although some populations have also been recorded from coastal localities. Recent field
work suggest that there may be another species of Nageia present in Vietnam (Phan Ke Loc,
pers. com).
Conservation status
Global status DATA DEFICIENT
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A2ac, B1ab(iii,v), B2ab (iii,v), C1, C2a(i)
Globally N. fleuryi is currently listed as Data Deficient as it has not been evaluated under
the 1994 or 2001 IUCN criteria at a global level, but was listed as Vulnerable in the 1997
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants which used the pre-1994 criteria (Walter & Gillett,
1998). The IUCN Conifer Action Plan (Farjon & Page, 1999) included it in a special list of
species that were known to be of conservation concern but had not been evaluated
according to the IUCN criteria due to a lack of information about its extent of occurrence,
area of occupancy and population sizes. The major part of the global population is likely to
be in Vietnam with only a small proportion in either China or Laos. With the amount of
new knowledge that has been obtained through the work of the authors of this report a
national assessment can now be made. This species is found in a characteristic habitat along
with other conifers, consisting of steep upper ridges in karst limestone areas. Assuming that
this habitat represents an estimated extent of occurrence of less than 20,000 km2, that the
distances between the major localities represent severe fragmentation and that there has
been a decline that is likely to continue in the area, extent and quality of the habitat, then
the criteria for Vulnerable B1ab(iii, v) are met. Nageia fleuryi may also meet the criteria for
Vulnerable C1 – population size less than 10,000 mature individuals and estimated decline
of at least 10 % over the next three generations. Given the value of the timber and the
persisting problems with illegal logging a minimum 10 % decline may actually be an
underestimate. Alternatively it could also be Vulnerable C2a(i) – populations less than
10,000 mature individuals and a continuing decline with no sub-population containing
more than 1,000 mature individuals. This would also cover populations that are not on
limestone e.g. those in Bai Tu Long NP.
Description
An upright dioecious tree with a pyramidal crown, reaching up to 25 m high with a dbh to
0.7 m. It is almost always found in primary closed tropical seasonal upper part of lowland
and submontane forests (mean annual temperature 18-220C, annual rainfall above 1400
mm) on the top ridges of highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains from
500 – 1200 m amsl. This species is mainly found in coniferous forests on the higher ridges
of limestone mountains where Pinus kwangtungensis, Pseudotsuga sinensis and Fokienia
hodginsii may be locally dominant and where Podocarpus pilgeri and Taxus chinensis also
occur. Natural regeneration is occasional, saplings rare.
94
Nageia fleuryi (Hickel) de Laub.

ripe seeds.
ripe opened pollen cones.
3. Ripe seed.
(1, 3 drawn from P 10315 by Bui
Xuan Chuong, 2 from DKH 4962 by
Nguyen Quang Hung).
0
104 108 0 112
0
220 22
0
Distribution
0
In northern Vietnam it has been recorded from Ha Giang, 18 0

18
Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Bac Can, Ha Tay, Hai Phong,

Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Binh.
Reports from Bac Giang and Vinh Phuc need further
0
14 14
0
verification. Records of N. fleuryi from Thua Thien-Hue,

Quang Nam, Lam Dong and Ninh Thuan may be the result
of confusion with N. wallichiana. Outside of Vietnam N. 10
0
10
0
fleuryi is known from southern China, and possibly Laos.

0
104 108 0 112
0
Uses
The wood is highly valued for musical instruments, chop Nageia fleuryi
sticks, fine crafts and household tools. The leaves may be used as a traditional cure for coughs
and the tree is highly ornamental.
Threats
Throughout its range, it occurs as scattered small groups. Its timber is also highly prized.
Two of the largest known populations occur in Cuc Phuong and Cat Ba National Parks.
Another large population is in Bai Tu Long NP. In these areas, N. fleuryi is used in
restoration and reforestation programmes. Other populations have been recorded from
Tam Dao NP, Bach Ma NP, and from areas proposed for protection e.g. Thang Heng,
Phong Nha - Ke Bang. Some of these may actually represent N. wallichiana.
The Central Forest Seed Company has initiated a propagation programme to make
seedlings available for reforestation programmes.
Localities in southern Vietnam where N. fleuryi has been recorded need to be verified.
Further study is needed to investigate possible differences between localities in northern
Vietnam that are limestone and those that are not. The interest of Vietnamese ethnic
people in ornamental planting of Nageia spp. should be encouraged by either supplying
seedlings from collected seeds or developing programmes for local people to collect seed
and propagate in village/commune nurseries both for use in local replanting and for
possible commercial purposes.
95
Nageia wallichiana ( C. P resl) O. Ku ntze Plate VII

Kim giao núi đất (Vietnamese).
Synonymy: Podocarpus wallichianus C. Presl.
Conservation status
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A2ac, B1ab(iii,v), B2ab (iii,v) C1, C2a(i)
The wide distribution of N. wallichiana means that it is not listed as threatened globally. In
Vietnam it faces the same pressures and problems as N. fleuryi and was listed by Nguyen
Duc To Luu & Thomas (2004) as Endangered (A1cd). Under new IUCN (2001) criteria,
and as a result of increased fieldwork since its previous assessment, it should be listed as
Vulnerable A2ac, B1ab(iii,v), B2ab (iii,v) C1, C2a(i).
Nageia wallichiana
(C. Presl) O. Kuntze
Seed-bearing branchlet and
unripe seeds.
(Drawn from N.D.T. Luu in
herb. Phan Ke Loc P 10704
by Nguyen Quang Hung).
Description
An upright dioecious tree with conical crown, reaching up to 30 m high with a dbh to 1 m.
It is found in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal broad-leaved and mixed
submontane and montane forests (mean annual temperature 14-230C, annual rainfall
above 1700 mm) on granite and other silicate derived soils from 500 – 2100 m amsl.
Occasionally it is found at sea level. Found associated with Dacrycarpus imbricatus,
Cephalotaxus mannii, Podocarpus neriifolius, Taxus wallichiana (southern Vietnam).
Natural regeneration occasional, saplings rare (although rather common in Pu Huong NR).
96
Distribution
Within Vietnam it is found in Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha
Tinh, Thua Thien- Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dac Lac, Lam Dong,
Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Kien Giang. It has also been reported from Ha Giang, Ninh
Binh, Quang Tri and Quang Ngai. Some of these reports may be the result of
misidentification. Outside of Vietnam it occurs from India to Papua New Guinea. The
proportion of the global population of this species represented in Vietnam is unknown.
Uses 104
0
108 0 112
0
The wood is highly valued for musical instruments, chop

sticks, fine crafts and household tools. The leaves may be 220 220
used as a traditional cure for coughs and the tree is highly

ornamental.
Threats
0 0
18 18
Throughout its range, it occurs as scattered small groups

on fertile soils which are targeted for agriculture. Its
timber is also highly prized. 14
0
14
0

This species has been recorded from various protected
0
areas near Kon Tum, Bi Doup in Lam Dong, Nui Chua 10 0

10
NP and in Pu Huong NR. 0

104 108 0 112
0
Current conservation measures Nageia wallichiana

Currently no ex situ programmes are focussed on this
species.
See Nageia fleuryi. In addition attention should be paid to why the species appears to
regenerate in Pu Huong NR but not at other locations.
97
Podocarpus neriifolius D. Don Plate X

Thông tre lá dài (Vietnamese)
Conservation status
Proposed national assessment LEAST CONCERN
Its wide distribution throughout the montane areas of Vietnam means that it is not
considered as threatened within Vietnam (IUCN, 1994; 2001).
Podocarpus neriifolius
D. Don
seeds.
Nguyen Quang Hung ).
Description
An upright tree with spreading crown, reaching up to 20-25 m high with a dbh to 0.7 m.
Dioecious. It is found scattered in primary and secondary closed evergreen tropical seasonal
broad-leaved, mixed and coniferous mostly submontane forests (mean annual temperature
16-230C, annual rainfall above 1500 mm) mainly on deep fertile silicate and limestone
derived soils from 600 – 1500 m amsl. Found associated with almost all conifer species
except Pinus kesiya and P. latteri. Natural regeneration normal, seedlings are shade tolerant.
Distribution
Within Vietnam it is the most widely distributed conifer species, found in all forested hills
and mountains in Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Son La, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang,
Bac Can, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Ha Tay, Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa,
Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dac Lac, Lam Dong,
Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Dong Nai, Kien Giang. Reports from Phu Tho, Quang Binh,
Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau need to be verified. Outside of
Vietnam it occurs in Nepal, throughout South East Asia and as far east as Fiji.
98
Uses 104
0
108 0 112
0
The termite and water resistant timber mean that it is

220 22
0
valued for construction and other uses such as boat

building.
Threats 18
0
18
0
Due to its wide distribution, this species is not regarded

as threatened although it is becoming increasingly rare
in many parts of its range, mainly due to changes in its 14
0
14
0
habitat.
With such a wide distribution, this species is known to 10
0
10
0
occur in many of the montane protected areas that have

been established. In all of these areas it is rare or 104
0
108 0 112
0
infrequent. The Nepalese population of this species has Podocarpus neriifolius

been listed in Appendix III of CITES since 1975.
There are no specific conservation measures for the species at present.
Monitoring of the trade in this species should be carried out and linked to reliable estimates
of standing volumes. Licences for logging this species should be linked to
replanting/regeneration to ensure the long term availability of this timber for local and
commercial trade. This species has a potential for forest plantations, thus silviculture trials
should be established in highland areas. Ex situ gene conservation areas should also be
established by seeds or cuttings from different provenances.
99
Podocarpus pilgeri Foxw. Plate X

Thông tre lá ngắn (Vietnamese)
Note: Podocarpus spp. show a range of variation that is often related to physiological,
edaphic or climatic conditions. These variations can lead to problems in identification. In
addition, several species (e.g. P. chinensis, P. macrophyllus) are commonly cultivated and
may have naturalised. In older references, taxa such as P. annamiensis N.E. Gray, P.
brevifolius (Stapf) Foxw. and P. tixieri Gaussen (Fu Li-kuo et al., 1999b) have also been
recorded from Vietnam. It is also possible that there are other, as yet, undescribed species
in Vietnam, especially in the limestone areas of north-east Vietnam (Phan Ke Loc, pers.
comm.).
Conservation status
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A2ac
Podocarpus pilgeri Foxw.

1. Seed-bearing branchlet
and seeds.
and pollen cones.
3. Sterile branchlet in old
canopy.
(Drawn from LX-VN 342 by
Nguyen Quang Hung).
Description
Dioecious tree reaching from 5 to 12 m high with a dbh less than 0.5 m. Branches are
scattered and often in whorls of five. It is found in the 2nd or 3rd layer of the primary closed
evergreen tropical seasonal submontane coniferous forests on the top ridges of highly
eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains (mean annual temperature 16-210C,
annual rainfall above 1500 mm) usually from 700-1600 m amsl. Found associated
scatteredly with Pinus kwangtungensis, Pseudotsuga sinensis, Xanthocyparis vietnamensis,
Fokienia hodginsii, Taxus chinensis, Nageia fleuryi and Tsuga chinensis. Sometimes it is
found on non-limestone mountains. Natural regeneration localised but frequent.
100
Distribution
Within Vietnam it is found in all submontane karst areas in the north such as Lao Cai, Son
La, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Hoa Binh, as well as in some silicate mountains of Quang Ninh
Province. Records from Kien Giang in southern Vietnam based on old herbarium records
(Nguyen Tien Hiep & Vidal, 1996) require further verification. Outside of Vietnam it
occurs from India to Papua New Guinea.
Uses 104
0
108 0 112
0
This species produces hard, water resistant timber that

can be used for construction as well as musical 220 22
0
instruments. A similar introduced species (P. chinensis) is

widely used as an ornamental.
0
Threats 18 18
0
The wide distribution in South East Asia means that it is

not currently listed as threatened. This species is only
occasionally exploited for its timber and its habitat is not 14
0
14
0
suitable for agriculture. However, the small size of

individual populations and its restricted habitat means
that it can be considered as threatened because of habitat 10
0
10
0
disturbance through the logging of the associated species

and forest fires. Seedlings and saplings are occasionally 104
0
108 0 112
0
removed for ornamental use. Podocarpus pilgeri

This species has been recorded from protected areas such as Hang Kia - Pa Co NR and Bat
Dai Son NR. Reports from Tam Dao NP have not been confirmed.
There are no conservation measures for the species at present.
Aspect of species ecology on islands should be investigated further. In some sites,
taxonomic work may be necessary to distinguish the species from P. neriifolius and possibly
other podocarps. Ornamental plant growers should not gather the species from wild, but
from propagated materials.
101
TAXACEAE
Amentotaxus argotaenia ( H a n c e ) P i l g . Plate I

Dẻ tùng sọc trắng hẹp, Sam bông sọc trắng hẹp (Vietnamese), sui hua shan (Chinese).
Conservation status
Global status VULNERABLE A1c
Current national status RARE
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A2c, B1ab(i-v)
Globally, this species is currently listed as Vulnerable A1c (IUCN, 2004); in Vietnam, it has
been listed as Rare (Anon., 1996). Recent survey work has discovered new populations in
several areas and consequently its Vietnamese conservation status should be changed to
Vulnerable under criteria A2c due to the extent of deforestation within its range, B1a (an
estimated extent of occurrence under 5,000 km2 and populations severely fragmented from
deforestation in areas between populations) and B1b(i-v) based on the likely ongoing
effects of deforestation and habitat degradation.
Description
A large, spreading, dioecious tree with ascending branches up to 35-40 m tall, 1.0-1.2 m
dbh. It is found between 950 – 1500 m amsl in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal
coniferous submontane forests (mean annual temperature 17-210C, rainfall over 1700
mm), usually on top ridges of highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains,
but also in mixed and broad-leaved submontane forests on non-limestone ones such as
sandstone, shale, granite. Seedlings and saplings are shade tolerant. Associated conifers
vary, depending on the type of soils (limestone or non-limestone). In Son La and Hoa Binh
and other limestone areas it is occasionally associated with Pinus kwangtungensis, Taxus
chinensis, Nageia fleuryi, Podocarpus neriifolius and Podocarpus pilgeri. In other areas with
silicate derived soils, such as Pu Luong it may be associated with Cephalotaxus mannii and
Amentotaxus yunnanensis in mixed- or broad-leaved forests.
Distribution
Known with certainty from Lao Cai, Son La, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Hoa Binh and
Thanh Hoa Provinces. Reports from Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Lang Son and
Quang Ninh have not been verified. Outside of Vietnam small populations are found
scattered across southern China.
Uses
The timber is used for tool making, handicrafts and furniture. It also has attractive foliage
and can make good bonsai. This genus is potentially useful for anti-cancer treatments (Su
Huey-jen et al., 2003) and the seeds have a high oil content.
Threats
Forest fragmentation and forest degradation resulting from the conversion of surrounding
forests at lower altitudes for agricultural use are the main threats. Timber cutting is rarely a
threat. A potential threat could arise if the members of this genus are confirmed to have
medicinal properties. Lack of regeneration resulting from infrequent coning may also be a
problem; seed predation has been reported as a problem in Chinese populations (Fu Li-kuo
& Jin Jian-ming, 1992).
102

This species is definitely known from Tam Dao NP, Hang Kia - Pa Co NR and Pu Luong
NR. In all of these areas, populations are small and need strict protection. Reports from
Xuan Son NR have not been verified.
There are currently no ex situ programmes focussed on this species. Some research has been
carried out on vegetative propagation techniques and germination by the CFSC.
All populations within national parks, nature reserves and proposed protected areas need
strict protection. Research on its ecology and reproductive biology needs to be undertaken.
Research into its potential medicinal uses and propagation requirements should also be
undertaken. This species appears to be the most suitable Amentotaxus for ornamental use.
Propagation both by seeds and cuttings should be encouraged in order to provide planting
materials for potential ex situ conservation and possible utilization programmes.
103
Amentotaxus hatuyenensis N . T . H i e p Plate I

Dẻ tùng sọc nâu rộng, Sam bông sọc nâu rộng (Vietnamese).
Conservation status
Global status ENDANGERED A2c
Proposed national assessment ENDANGERED B1ab(iii)
Globally, this species conservation status has been assessed as Endangered A2c (IUCN,
2004), and within Vietnam has been listed as Rare (Anon., 1996), and more recently as
Critically Endangered (Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas, 2004) due to its restricted
distribution, poor natural regeneration and decline of quality of habitat as a result of forest
fire, timber and firewood cutting. Under the new IUCN (2001) criteria, it should be listed
as Endangered B1ab(iii) nationally on the basis of its known distribution and continuing
conservation problems in the areas where it has been recorded – especially outside of Bat
Dai Son NR. To qualify for Critically Endangered under these criteria a reduction of ≥ 80%
over three generations, or an extent of occurrence less than 100 km² has to be
demonstrated; it seems safer in view of new discoveries of closely related species as a result
of current inventories to assume that this species will also be found in other locations.
Amentotaxus hatuyenensis
N.T. Hiep
Cone-bearing branchlet and
pollen cones.
(Drawn from DKH 4970 by
Nguyen Quang Hung).
Description
This species is very poorly known. It is very similar to A. yunnanensis; the main difference
being the colour of the stomatal bands (brown rather than white). It occurs in primary
closed evergreen tropical seasonal mixed on slopes or on top ridges of submontane forests
104
with highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains between 1000 and 1500 m
amsl, mean annual temperature of ca. 15-180C, annual rainfall over 1800 mm. Other
conifers that may be associated with it include Pinus kwangtungensis, Tsuga chinensis,
Cephalotaxus mannii, Podocarpus neriifolius, Nageia fleuryi and Podocarpus pilgeri.
Distribution
This species is currently thought to be a local endemic. It 104
0
108 0 112
0
has only been recorded from Bat Dai Son NR and three
nearly contiguous unprotected areas in Ha Giang. 220 22
0
Threats
Forest fragmentation, decline of habitat due to forest 18
0 0
18
fire, poor natural regeneration and longer term effects of
the conversion of surrounding habitats for agricultural
use are the main threats. 0
14 14
0
Recorded only from Bat Dai Son NR.
Current conservation measures 10 0 10
0
Currently no ex situ programmes are focussed on this

species although some research has been carried out on 104
0
108 0 112
0
vegetative propagation techniques by the CFSC. Amentotaxus hatuyenensis

Further field survey and taxonomic work should be encouraged in order to gain better
knowledge of this species. As its known distribution is sympatric with A. yunnanensis
conservation efforts should be aimed at both species.
105
Amentotaxus poilanei (Ferré & Rouane) D.K. Ferguson

Dẻ tùng Nam, Sam bông Nam (Vietnamese) Plate I
Conservation status
Global status VULNERABLE A2c
Existing national status THREATENED
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE D1
Species in this genus almost always have a localised distribution; in the case of A. poilanei
there is only one location known and there is no specific information about decline at that
locality. As such, it should be listed nationally as Vulnerable D1 (a total population
estimate of < 1,000 mature trees) using the IUCN (2001) criteria.
(Ferré & Rouane) D.K.
Ferguson
very young seed cones.
Nguyen Quang Hung).
Description 0
104 108 0 112
0
Tree to 20 metres, occurring at altitudes up to 2300 m

amsl. In Ngoc Linh it is found scattered in primary 220 22
0
closed evergreen tropical seasonal mixed- or broad-

leaved forests, where the mean annual temperature does
0
not exceed 12 C with the highest monthly temperature 18
0
18
0
less than 160C and the annual rainfall is over 3000 mm

with no dry months.
Distribution 14
0
14
0
This species is only known with certainty from Ngoc

Linh Mt in Kon Tum Province. There have been
unconfirmed reports from Lo Xo, on the border with 10
0
10
0
Quang Nam and Kon Tum (Tordoff, (ed.) 2002).

0
104 108 0 112
0
106
Threats
Currently there are no direct threats but forest fragmentation and degradation of habitats
resulting from conversion of forests at lower altitudes to agricultural use may pose a threat
in the future.

Found in protected areas around Ngoc Linh.

None.

Threats to this species have not reached a high level of concern but monitoring is necessary
in order to take corrective actions when any threat becomes real. Information about the
population size, area of occupancy and the extent of deforestation or other threats within
or near its habitat is lacking and further surveys are needed.
107
Amentotaxus yunnanensis H.L. Li Plate I

Dẻ tùng Vân Nam, Thông tre Vân Nam, Sam bông sọc trắng rộng (Vietnamese),Yunnan
shuhuashan (Chinese).
Conservation status
Global status ENDANGERED A1c
Existing national status THREATENED
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE B1ab(i-v)
Globally, this species is listed as Endangered A1c. In Vietnam, it has been listed as
Threatened (Anon., 1996), however, Nguyen Duc To Luu & Thomas (2004) evaluated this
species as Critically Endangered because until recently only one population near Sa Pa was
known. New populations have now been discovered in several other provinces; the most
significant of these is in Pu Huong NR. At a national level, and under the IUCN (2001)
criteria, this species qualifies for Vulnerable B1ab(i-v) status on the following basis – its
extent of occurrence is likely to be less than 20,000 km2, with severely fragmented localities
due to the extent of deforestation in the intervening areas that are likely to undergo a
continued decline in the area, extent and quality of its habitat. Its global status should also
be reviewed, with particular emphasis on the situation in China.
Amentotaxus yunnanensis
H.L. Li
ripe seed.
(Drawn from N.D.T. Luu
159 by Nguyen Quang Hung).
Description
This is a medium to large spreading, dioecious tree up to 25-30 m tall, dbh to 0.8 m
(specimens HAL 4029 & 4216 collected at Pu Luong). Found in the mid-canopy,
sometimes emergent in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal submontane forests
(mean annual temperature 17-200C, rainfall above 1500 mm) mostly coniferous on top
ridges of highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains, mixed- or broad-
leaved forests on silicate derived soils. Found scatteredly associated with Fokienia hodginsii,
Podocarpus neriifolius, Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, Pseudotsuga sinensis, Tsuga chinensis,
Taxus chinensis and Dacrydium elatum on limestone mountains, Cephalotaxus mannii,
Amentotaxus argotaenia on non-limestone mountains. Seedlings and saplings are tolerant
of light shading.
108
Distribution
In Vietnam this species is the most widespread member of the genus (Lao Cai, Ha Giang,
Tuyen Quang, Bac Can, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An). It is also known from several small
populations in the adjoining Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou (Fu Li-kuo & Jin
Jian-ming, 1992; Ying Tsun-shen et al., 2003). Recent discoveries of this species in several
provinces indicate that the majority of the global population is in Vietnam rather than
China. 104
0
108
0
112
0
Uses
Timber is used for tool making, handicrafts, furniture in 220 22
0
China. The genus has potential uses for anti-cancer

treatments; seed has high oil content (Su Huey-jen et al.,
2003). The tree has attractive foliage, sometimes used for 18
0
18
0
bonsai. Seedlings are collected directly from the wild.

Threats 0
14 0
Forest fragmentation, selective felling of larger trees, 14
decline of habitat due to forest fires and conversion of

habitat in silicate derived soil areas to agricultural use
are the principle threats. In 1998 the population in Sa Pa 10
0
10
0
was logged by local people for export to China for

0
medicinal use and for timber (Nguyen Duc To Luu, 108 0 0

104 112
pers. obsv.). Amentotaxus yunannensis

The population known from Hoang Lien NP on the slopes surrounding Sa Pa was
decimated in 1998. Local sources report other populations within the park proper but
recent surveys have not located them (Thomas & Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004a). It is likely to
occur in Bat Dai Son in Ha Giang. Small populations have been recorded in nearby
unprotected areas (Lao Va Chai -Yen Minh). Others have been recorded from Na Hang NR
as well as in Pu Luong proposed NR and Pu Huong NR. Populations are small and need
strict protection.
Currently no ex situ programmes are focussed on this species although some research has
been carried out on vegetative propagation techniques by the CFSC.
All populations within national parks and nature reserves and proposed protected areas
need strict protection. Research on its ecology and reproductive biology needs to be
undertaken. Research into its potential medicinal uses and propagation requirements
should also be undertaken. Further study of medicinal properties is important to enable
utilization of this species. Research into propagation and cultivation requirements could
allow this species to be sustainably exploited and thereby help to reduce threats to natural
populations. This should be complemented by awareness raising programmes among the
local people.
109
Taxus chinensis Pilg. Plate XII

Thông đỏ Bắc (Vietnamese), Yew (English), hong du shan (Chinese).
Synonymy: T. wallichiana Zucc. var. chinensis (Pilg.) Florin.
Note: The taxonomy and distribution of Taxus in Vietnam is unclear. The World Checklist
of Conifers (Farjon, 2001) cites T. chinensis (Pilg.) Rehder var. mairei (Lemée & Lév.) W.C.
Cheng & L.K. Fu as the only representative. The gymnosperm account of the Flore du
Cambodge, du Laos et du Vietnam (Nguyen Tien Hiep & Vidal, 1996) along with other
Vietnamese works record two species: T. wallichiana Zucc. from the Da Lat plateau of
southern Vietnam and T. chinensis (Pilg.) Rehder from the karst limestone areas in
northern and north-western Vietnam (Anon., 1996; Vu Van Dung, 1996; Nguyen Duc To
Luu & Thomas, 2004). The northern populations are geographically close to south-east and
south-west China where Taxus chinensis is widespread and their morphology closely
resembles that of ‘typical’ T. chinensis. The southern populations are disjunct and their
correct identification is uncertain and depends on clarification of the taxonomic status of
the Himalayan T. wallichiana, the south-west Chinese populations of T. chinensis var.
mairei and the Indonesian and Philippines populations of T. sumatrana. The uncertainty is
further indicated by the inclusion of var. mairei as a variety under T. wallichiana by the
authors of the Flora of China, Vol. 4 (Fu Li-kuo et al., 1999c).
Conservation status
[LEAST CONCERN]
Proposed national assessment VULNERABLE A2ac, B2a(i-v),b(i-v)
Due to its wider distribution in southern China, this species is not listed as globally
threatened. In Vietnam, the populations are much smaller in size and many have been
logged. At a national level, this species was listed as Rare. Under the new IUCN (2001)
categories this should change to Vulnerable A2ac, B2a(i-v),b(i-v).
Taxus chinensis Pilg.

and very young pollen
cones.
Nguyen Quang Hung).
Description
An upright tree with spreading branches (depending on situation), reaching up to 15 m
high (occasionally 20m) with a dbh to 1 (occasionally 1.5) m. It is found scattered in
110
primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal coniferous submontane forests on the top ridges
of highly eroded solid crystalline white limestone mountains and steep slopes (mean annual
temperature 15-200C, rainfall above 1300 mm) from 900-1500 m amsl. Found in
Pseudotsuga sinensis, Pinus kwangtungensis, Fokienia hodginsii or Xanthocyparis vietnamensis
communities, associated with Podocarpus pilgeri, Nageia fleuryi and Tsuga chinensis.
Natural regeneration is occasional.
Distribution
Found in the Provinces Son La, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Hoa Binh and Thanh
Hoa. Outside of Vietnam it is found in southern China.
Uses 104
0
108 0 112
0
The timber is red in colour with a fine structure, water

220
resistant and can be used for irrigation paddles. The 220
seeds have medicinal uses and the tree is used as bonsai.

A limited amount of research has been undertaken
within Vietnam to investigate the pharmaceutical 18
0
18
0
qualities of Vietnamese trees. Important intermediate

substances in the production of taxol such as 7-xylosyl-
10-deacetylbaccatine III and 10-deacetylbaccatine III 14
0
14
0
have been isolated and characterized from bark and

needles of Taxus chinensis from Hoa Binh in northern
Vietnam (Mai Van Tri et al., 1995). Harvesting can only 10
0
10
0
be sustained from plantations as the natural populations

are too small. 104
0
108 0 112
0
Threats Taxus chinensis

Difficult reproductive biology and poor natural
regeneration of this species are compounded by threats through logging, forest
fragmentation, degradation of habitat and forest fires.
In Hoa Binh small populations have been found within Hang Kia-Pa Co NR. This
population is probably contiguous with those in Son La which are in areas that have not
been designated as a protected area (Thomas & Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004c). In Ha Giang,
Taxus chinensis is known from Bat Dai Son NR, in Tuyen Quang from Na Hang NR. It has
also been found in the proposed Pu Luong NR.
No attempts have been made to domesticate Taxus in northern Vietnam on any significant
scale. Some research into propagation methods have been carried out by the FSIV (Nguyen
Hoang Nghia, 2000). Taxus chinenis, and other Asian yew taxa, are included in Appendix II
of CITES.
This species should be included in Group IIA of the List of Rare and Precious Flora and
Fauna in order to provide legislated protection in areas where most populations occur and
then this enforced by trained FPD staff. Further taxonomic work is needed to clarify its
systematic position (see Part I). Ex situ conservation plantation should be established.
111
Taxus wallichiana Zu cc. Pla te X II

Thông đỏ lá dài, Thông đỏ Nam (Vietnamese), Himalayan Yew (English), xu mi hong dou
shan (Chinese).
Synonymy: T. yunnanensis W.C. Cheng & L.K. Fu.
Conservation status
Global status DATA DEFICIENT
[LEAST CONCERN]
Proposed national assessment ENDANGERED C1
Due to its wide distribution outside of Vietnam, this species is not yet listed as globally
threatened, even though many populations have been over-exploited. In Vietnam, it has
been assessed as Rare (Anon., 1996), Data Deficient or Critically Endangered C2a (Nguyen
Hoang Nghia, 2000). The last assessment is based on field surveys undertaken in Lam Dong
Province during 1998, which resulted in an estimated total population size was < 250
mature trees with no more than 50 trees in each sub-population. Since then, further
fieldwork in Lam Dong Province has been undertaken and a new sub-population
consisting of at least 250 trees was found. The total number of mature trees occurring in
Vietnam is now estimated to be more than 250, but much less than 2,500, spread over
severely fragmented populations. This means that its status for Vietnam should now be
Endangered C1 (based on IUCN, 2001 criteria). As all of the populations face a high level of
threat, especially from fire in the surrounding forests, this conservation status may need to
be upgraded in future. The Lam Dong populations represent the most southern
distribution for this genus on the South East Asian mainland. As such they are disjunct and
may represent a distinct provenance (Thomas et al., 2002).
Taxus wallichiana Zucc.

1. Seed-bearing branchlet
and ripe seeds.
Nguyen Quang Hung).
Description
An upright dioecious tree with spreading branches depending on situation, reaching up to
20 (occasionally 30) m high with a dbh to 1 (occasionally 1.5) m. It is found in small
localised populations in primary closed evergreen tropical seasonal mixed or broad-leaved
submontane forests (mean annual temperature 15-210C, annual rainfall above 1500 mm),
112
0
108 0 0
on granite and other silicate derived soils from 900 - 104 112
1600 m amsl. Associated conifers include Cephalotaxus 220 22

0
mannii, Nageia wallichiana, Podocarpus neriifolius,

Dacrycarpus imbricatus and Keteleeria evelyniana.
Natural regeneration sporadic, seedlings and saplings 0
0
18 18
are very shade tolerant.
Distribution
In Vietnam, it is only currently known for certain from 14
0
14
0
Lam Dong (Duc Trong, Xuan Tho, Don Duong, Lac

Duong) (Thomas & Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004c). There
are herbarium records dating back to the 1930’s for this 10
0 0
10
species in Khanh Hoa (Nguyen Tien Hiep & Vidal,

1996) but there are no recent reports. Other reports 104
0
108 0 112
0
from Ninh Thuan and Dac Lac need further verification.

Taxus wallichiana
Outside of Vietnam it is found in south-western China
and the Himalayas.
Uses
A limited amount of research has been undertaken within Vietnam to investigate the
pharmaceutical qualities of Vietnamese trees. An analysis of samples from Lam Dong
populations showed that it had a higher content of the precursor 10-deacetylbaccatine III
than Taxus baccata (Le Thi Xuan, et al., 1996).
Threats
Generally threatened by habitat loss, but more specifically from fire in the surrounding
forests. Trade in parts and derivatives of the species as a source of taxol is a threat to wild
populations in parts of its range outside of Vietnam (Thomas & Nguyen Duc To Luu,
2004c).
In southern Vietnam all Taxus populations are located within areas involving protection
functions but not necessarily biodiversity conservation areas. The two main populations at
Nui Voi and Ho Tien are within watershed management forests. A third, Xuan Tho is on
land controlled by a State Forest Enterprise that is classed as experimental (seed) forest.
Only one tree has been recorded from this area although it is highly likely that there are
more (Thomas & Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2004c).
This species is protected by law since it is included in Group IA of the List of Rare and
Precious Flora and Fauna. Vegetative propagation and ex situ plantation projects have been
conducted by FSIV (Nguyen Hoang Nghia, 2000) and CFSC (Dick et al., 2004). Taxus
wallichiana, along with other Asian yew taxa, is included in Appendix II of CITES.
The main population in Nui Voi – Duc Trong – Lam Dong should be proposed as a nature
reserve (e.g. a Species Habitat Conservation Area) for conifers, especially Taxus wallichiana.
As the species is protected by law, awareness of state agencies and the public should be
raised at remaining sites for long term protection. The population is also a good site for
ecological and seed studies of the species. Further taxonomic work is needed to clarify its
taxonomic status.
113
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Kuznetsov, A. (2001). The forests of Vu Quang Reserve, a description of habitats and plant
communities. Vu Quang Nature Reserve Conservation Project (WWF Project No. VN
0021), Hanoi.
Le Thi Xuan, M. Shemluck & Mai Van Tri (1996). Taxus of Lam Dong, a valuable source
for production of cancer therapy medicines of taxoid group. Chemistry Journal 34
(1) 80-81. (In Vietnamese).
Le Tran Chan, Nguyen Tien Hiep, Dao Minh Truong, Le Trong Hai & Le Dong Tam.
(2000). Some rare and precious gymnosperms discovered in Ha Giang for the first
time. Forestry Review no. 10. (in Vietnamese)
Mai Van Tri, Nguyen Quang An, D. Guenard & F. Guerittf-Voegelein (1995). Chemical
composition of Taxus chinensis. I - Main components of stem barks and leaves.
Chemistry Journal 33 (1): 57-58 (in Vietnamese).
Nadler, T, F. Momberg, Nguyen Xuan Dang & N. Lormée (2003). Vietnam Primate
Conservation Status Review 2002. Part 2: Leaf Monkeys. Fauna & Flora International
Vietnam Programme and Frankfurt Zoological Society, Hanoi.
Nguyen Duc To Luu (2004). Results from VTSP research programme into conifers.
Unpublished report for DANIDA and CFSC
Nguyen Duc To Luu & P. Thomas (2004). Cay La Kim Viet Nam (Conifers of Vietnam: an
illustrated field guide). World Publishing House, Hanoi. 121 pp. (in Vietnamese
and English).
Nguyen Hoang Nghia (2000). Some Threatened Tree Species of Vietnam. Agricultural
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Nguyen Khanh Van, Nguyen Thi Hien, Phan Ke Loc & Nguyen Tien Hiep (2000).
Bioclimatic Diagrams of Vietnam. Vietnam National University Publishing House,
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Nguyen Ngoc Chinh & Chu Van Dung (1997). The need to protect the ancient forest of
Cunninghamia konishii in Nghe An. Forestry Review no. 7: 22-23. (in Vietnamese)
Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, L.V. Averyanov & J. Regalado (2004). A report for
Darwin Initiative Project 162/10/017 ‘Preservation, Rehabilitation and Utilisation
of Vietnamese Montane Forests’.
Nguyen Tien Hiep, Do Tien Doan & Phan Ke Loc (2002). The diversity of the flora of
Vietnam 9. Taiwania Hayata and T. cryptomerioides Hayata (Taxodiaceae): new
genus and species for the flora. Journal of Genetics & Applications 1: 32-40. (in
Vietnamese with English summary).
Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc & L.V. Averyanov (2000). Some new species for the flora
of Vietnam collected from the limestone mountains of Caobang prov. J. Biol.
(Hanoi) 22(4): 1-11 (in Vietnamese).
Nguyen Tien Hiep & J. E. Vidal (1996). Flore du Cambodge, du Laos et du Vietnam. Vol. 28.
Gymnospermae. Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris.
Nguyen Van Chien (ed.) (1997). National Atlas of Vietnam. Cartographic Publishing
House, Hanoi.
Osborn, T. (2004). Preparation and implementation of a strategy for the management of
Fokienia hodginsii in Vietnam by 2008. A desk study for the Hoang Lien Son
Project, FFI Vietnam, 33 pp.
Perry, L. (1980). Medicinal Plants of East and South East Asia. Massachusetts Institute of
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Phan Ke Loc (1984). Conifer species in the flora of Vietnam. J. Biol. (Hanoi) 6(4): 5-10 (in
Vietnamese).
Phan Ke Loc & Nguyen Tien Hiep (1997). Endangered gymnosperms and their occurrence
in natural reserves. Forestry Magazine 1: 18-20 (in Vietnamese, summary in
English).
Phan Ke Loc & Nguyen Tien Hiep (1999). Is there Cunninghamia konishii Hayata growing
in wild in Vietnam, and what is the scientific name of the Sa moc dau?. In: Selected
paper of seminar on north Truong Son biodiversity (the second): 61-64. Publishing
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Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Tien Hiep & L.V. Averyanov (2002). Keteleeria davidiana (Bertrand)
Beissn. var. davidiana, a gymnosperm newly identified in Northern Vietnam. In:
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Phung Tu Boi (1996). Initial survey and suggestion for protection and development of
Fokienia hodginsii forests in Vietnam. Results of scientific research on forestry 1991-
1995. pp. 33-36. Agriculture Publishing House, Hanoi. (in Vietnamese).
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Rushforth, K. D. (1999). Taxonomic notes on some Sino-Himalayan conifers. Int. Dendrol.

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Silba, J. (1994). The trans-pacific relationship of Cupressus in India and North America. J.
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Su Huey-jen , Li-wen Wang , Chun-nan Lin, Shiow-hwa Day, Bai-luh Wei, Sheng-zehn
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2645–2652.
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Hoang Lien Mountains. Community-based Conservation in the Hoang Lien
Mountains: Technical Report No. 1. Fauna & Flora International Vietnam
Programme, Hanoi.
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Thomas, P., M.F.G. Gardner & Nguyen Duc To Luu (2002). Threatened conifers of the
Dalat Plateau. Unpublished report for the Darwin Initiative Project 162/10/017
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Programme. 5 pp.
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Vietnam: Distribution and Conservation Status. A report for Darwin Initiative
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Zeigler, S. (2003). Research Activities in Bach Ma National Park. Available from
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119
Annex 1
2001 (version 3.1) criteria for Critically Endangered,
Endangered and Vulnerable categories of the IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species
Table 4 Simplified overview of thresholds for the IUCN Red List Criteria
Reproduced from: Butchart et al. (2004).
Critically Endangered (CR)

A taxon is Critically Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets
any of the following criteria (A to E), and it is therefore considered to be facing an
extremely high risk of extinction in the wild:
A. Reduction in population size based on any of the following:
1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size reduction of 90 %

over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, where the causes
of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on (and
specifying) any of the following:
(a) direct observation
(b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
120
Annex 1
(c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat

(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
(e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors
or parasites.
over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, where the
reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may
not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1.
3. A population size reduction of 80 %, projected or suspected to be met within the
next 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of
100 years), based on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1.
4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population size reduction
of 80 % over any 10 year or three generation period, whichever is longer (up to a
maximum of 100 years in the future), where the time period must include both the
past and the future, and where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR
may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of
(a) to (e) under A1.
B. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) OR B2 (area of

occupancy) OR both:
1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km², and estimates indicating at
least two of a-c:
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location.
b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following:
(i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat
(iv) number of locations or subpopulations
(v) number of mature individuals.
c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
(iii) number of locations or subpopulations
(iv) number of mature individuals.
2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km², and estimates indicating at

least two of a-c:
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location.
121

C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals and either:
(i) An estimated continuing decline of at least 25 % within three years or one

generation, whichever is longer, (up to a maximum of 100 years in the future) OR
1. A continuing decline, observed, projected, or inferred, in numbers of mature
individuals AND at least one of the following (a-b):
(a) Population structure in the form of one of the following:
(i) no subpopulation estimated to contain more than 50 mature individuals,
OR
(ii) at least 90% of mature individuals in one subpopulation.
(b) Extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals.
D. Population size estimated to number fewer than 50 mature individuals.
E. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the wild is at least 50 %

within 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100
years).
122
Annex 1
Endangered (EN)
A taxon is Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the
following criteria (A to E), and it is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of
extinction in the wild:
of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on (and
or parasites.

occupancy) OR both:
1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 5,000 km², and estimates indicating
at least two of a-c:
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations.
123

2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 500 km², and estimates indicating at
least two of a-c:
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations.
• Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following:
b. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 2500 mature individuals and either:
1. An estimated continuing decline of at least 20 % within five years or two
generations, whichever is longer, (up to a maximum of 100 years in the future) OR
(i) no subpopulation estimated to contain more than 250 mature individuals,
OR
(ii) at least 95 % of mature individuals in one subpopulation.
D. Population size estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals.

within 20 years or five generations, whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100
years).
124
Annex 1
Vulnerable (VU)
A taxon is Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the
following criteria (A to E), and it is therefore considered to be facing a high risk of
extinction in the wild:
of the reduction are: clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on (and
or parasites.
occupancy) OR both:
1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 20,000 km², and estimates indicating
at least two of a-c:
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than 10 locations.
125

2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 2,000 km², and estimates indicating at
least two of a-c:
1. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than 10 locations.
(a) Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following:
(ii) extent of occurrence
(iii) area of occupancy
(iv) area, extent and/or quality of habitat
(v) number of locations or subpopulations
(vi) number of mature individuals.
(b) Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 10,000 mature individuals and either:
1. An estimated continuing decline of at least 10 % within 10 years or three
generations, whichever is longer, (up to a maximum of 100 years in the future) OR
(i) no subpopulation estimated to contain more than 1,000 mature
individuals, OR
(ii) all mature individuals are in one subpopulation.
D. Population very small or restricted in the form of either of the following:
1. Population size estimated to number fewer than 1,000 mature individuals.
2. Population with a very restricted area of occupancy (typically less than 20 km²) or
number of locations (typically five or fewer) such that it is prone to the effects of
human activities or stochastic events within a very short time period in an
uncertain future, and is thus capable of becoming Critically Endangered or even
Extinct in a very short time period.
within 100 years.
126
Information On Organisations Contributing Technical
Expertise And Key Funding Agencies For Field Work
Support.
The Global Trees Campaign is a joint initiative of Fauna &

Flora International (FFI) and the United Nations Environment
Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-
WCMC). The Global Trees Campaign aims to save the world’s
most threatened trees and the habitats where they grow
through provision of information, conservation action and
sustainable use. Promoting and supporting the conservation
of Vietnamese conifers is a priority component of the Global
Trees Campaign.
Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world’s longest

established international conservation body, founded 100
years ago. Renowned for its science-based approach, FFI has
pioneered sustainable conservation work that tackles problems
holistically, providing solutions that simultaneously help
wildlife, humans and the environment.
The Darwin Initiative is a UK government initiative that aims

to work with local partners in countries rich in biodiversity
but poor in resources to achieve the conservation of biological
diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation
of genetic resources. Over the last 10 years the Initiative has
funded 5 major projects in Vietnam; three of these have involved
conservation in montane areas.
The Forest Protection Department is the government agency

under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
that is charged with the responsbility to protect the nations
forests. It has a presence throughout the country from national
through province and district down to commune and villages.
Its main roles are fire protection as well as activities linked to
the management of protected areas designated by the National
and Provincial Governments.
Central Forest Seed Company is mandated by the Ministry

of Agricuture and Rural Development (MARD) as the major
tree seed supplier in Vietnam. In its 40 years of existance the
Company maintained continous research for promoting use
of indigenous species in forest plantation through effective
propagation and quality seed use. The Company is also
127
involved in different aspects of gene conservation for longterm
tree improvement. Having a practical and national network
of 9 Forest Seed Enterprises in all ecoregions of Vietnam the
Company contributes to formulation of management and
development strategy for forest reproductive materials of
MARD.
The mission of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

(Scotland) is to ‘explore and explain the world of plants
through research, conservation and education’. Over the last
100 years, the RBGE has maintained an extensive programme
of botanical taxonomic research and conservation throughout
Asia. The RBGE is also a leading centre for research into the
diversity and conservation of conifers and has active research
programmes in many parts of the world. It is supported by the
Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SERAD)
The International Conifer Conservation Programme,

based at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, is dedicated
to the conservation of the world’s rich heritage of conifers.
Vietnamese conifers have been a major focus for the programme
through the work of the recent Darwin Initiative ‘Preservation,
Rehabilitation and Utilisation of Vietnamese Montane Projects,
a collaborative project with the Central Forest Seed Company
and the Center for Ecology and Hydrology (Scotland). The
ICCP is also active in the IUCN Conifer Specialist Group
The mission of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (England)

is to ’enable better management of the Earth’s environment
by increasing knowledge and understanding of the plant and
fungal kingdoms – the basis of life on Earth.’ The RBGKEW
has undertaken research into plant diversity in many parts
of the world for more than 200 years. It has a long tradition,
beginning with Maxwell Masters in the late 19th century, of
research into the diversity of conifers and has recently made
substantial contributions to this with the publication of several
monographs by its leading conifer taxonomist Aljos Farjon.
The Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR)

of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in Hanoi
was established in 1990. IEBR’s objectives are the study of
biodiversity in Vietnam, the inventory and scientific evaluation
of this diversity for sustainable utilisation and conservation,
ecosystem research including remote sensing analysis, and
postgraduate training within these disciplines. The IEBR has
over 120 scientific staff working in 16 departments and a
128
biodiversity field station. The Botany Department is actively
conducting research on the flora of Vietnam with numerous
national and international organisations.
The Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) in Saint Louis is

the oldest operating botanical garden in the United States.
The MBG seeks to discover and share knowledge about
plants and their habitats in order to preserve and enrich life.
In Vietnam, the Missouri Botanical Garden has collaborated
with the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR)
since 1994. The goal of the cooperative MBG-IEBR Vietnam
Botanical Conservation Program is to revitalize study of the
country’s flora and strengthen the capacity to manage the
country’s biological resources in a sustainable manner. Website:
www.mobot.org
The Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of

Sciences in Saint Petersburg was established in 1931, although
the botanic garden dates back to 1714 as the pharmacy garden
of Peter the Great. The Institute engages in basic scientific
research in systematics, floristics, ecology, geography, phylogeny,
paleobotany, plant resources, wild plant introduction,
structural and functional botany. The Institute has 21 scientific
departments with a staff of more than 500, half of which are
scientists. The Institute’s museums and collections include
the Botanical Museum, Botanical Garden, and the Herbarium
which has the second largest collections of plant specimens in
the world. Website: http://botguide.spb.ru
EC Programme on Tropical Forests and other Forests in

Developing Countries budget line is an important instrument
for the commission to support innovative pilot activities and
strategic studies that address the problems affecting forests
and negative environmental trends whilst contributing
simultaneaously to the overall objective of poverty reduction.
The Species Survival Commission is a network of some 7,000

volunteer members from almost every country of the world, all
working to stop the loss of plants, animals and their habitats.
Members include researchers, government officials, wildlife
veterinarians, zoo and botanical institute employees, marine
biologists, protected area managers, and experts on plants, birds,
mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. SSC
seeks to mobilise action by the world conservation community
for species conservation, particularly those species threatened
with extinction and those of importance for human welfare.
129
Fauna & Flora International acts to conserve threatened species and
ecosystems world-wide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, are
based on sound science and take account of human needs.
Fauna & Flora International Fauna & Flora International

Vietnam Programme
Great Eastern House IPO Box 78
Tenison Road 340 Nghi Tam
Cambridge CB1 2TT Hanoi
UK Vietnam
Tel: +44 (0) 1 223 571000 Tel: +84 (0) 4 719 4117
Fax: +44 (0) 1 223 461481 Fax: +44 (0) 4 719 4119
E-mail: info@fauna-flora.org E-mail: vietnam@ffi.org.vn
Website: www.fauna-flora.org hlsp_project@hn.vnn.vn
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Vietnam Conifers Conservation Status Review 2004

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Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Duc To Luu, Philip Ian Thomas, Aljos Farjon, Leonid

Averyanov and Jacinto Regalado Jr.

Darwin Initiative for the European Union

1 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources; 2 Central Forest Seed Company; 3

Cover design and Layout

1 2 3 1. Amentotaxus yunnanensis © Phan K. Loc 7. Nageia ﬂeuryi © L. Averyanov

NHAØ XUAÁT BAÛN LAO ÑOÄNG XAÕ HOÄI

Part 1 – An Introduction to Vietnamese Conifers ............................. .... 1

1.1 Vietnamese conifers in a global context..................................................................... 4

Part 2 – Conservation of Vietnamese Co nifers .................................. 11

2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 13

Part 3 - Profiles of Vietn amese Conifer Species ................................. 31

Calocedrus rupestris .............................................................................................................. 51

Cunninghamia konishii ........................................................................................................ 53

Cupressus sp. ........................................................................................................................ 55

Distribution map for Vietnam ............................................................................................ 56

Fokienia hodginsii ................................................................................................................. 57

Keteleeria davidiana ............................................................................................................. 69

Keteleeria evelyniana ............................................................................................................ 71

Pinus kwangtungensis ........................................................................................................... 79

Tsuga chinensis ..................................................................................................................... 86

Tsuga dumosa ....................................................................................................................... 88

Dacrydium elatum ................................................................................................................ 92

Nageia wallichiana ............................................................................................................... 96

Podocarpus pilgeri............................................................................................................... 100

Descriptive diagram .......................................................................................................... 104

Amentotaxus poilanei ......................................................................................................... 106

Amentotaxus yunnanensis .................................................................................................. 108

Taxus chinensis ................................................................................................................... 110

Taxus wallichiana............................................................................................................... 112

1 2001 (version 3.1) criteria for Critically Endangered, Endangered

Box 1 Indigenous Vietnamese conifer species and their existing and

Box 2 Protected conifer species of Vietnam following national Decrees

Map 1 Provinces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam...............inside front cover

Plate I Amentotaxus spp., Calocedrus macrolepis and Calocedrus rupestris......... 33

Plate II Cephalotaxus manii .................................................................................... 34

Table 1 10 Priority Species for Conservation Action ........................................... xix

Aljos Farjon FLS

Chairman, IUCN/SSC Conifer Specialist Group,

0 to 600-700 m amsl – lowland forest;

Vietnamese Provincial Names – follow those shown in Map 1.

UNEP-WCMC United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation

IUCN Conservation Status Categories

EW Extinct in the Wild

Species Distribution Map Legend

• Record with voucher specimen

• Information on ex situ conservation and assessment of Pinus latteri is also compiled

3 1. Mature Taiwania cryptomerioides in Van Ban District,

• Over 40 % (14/33) of Vietnam’s indigenous conifer species are listed as globally

Table 1 10 Priority Species of Vietnamese Conifer for Conservation Action

Species Conservation Status Justification

• The review is organised into three parts: Part 1 – An Introduction to Vietnamese

• This publication is an addition to the existing series of Vietnamese conservation status

Introduction To Vietnamese Conifers

• The biogeography of the Vietnamese coniferous fauna is characterised by three distinct

• A number of values of Vietnamese conifers are identified and briefly introduced,

Conservation Of Vietnamese Conifers

• The conservation of Vietnamese Conifers is discussed in the context of national and

• Conservation actions should be guided by status assessment-based prioritisation of

• Recommendations for Research and Information Management:

• Recommendations for Capacity Building and Awareness Raising

• Recommendations for Sustainable Use

A1dA1d A2cd B1ab(i-v), B2ab(i-v),