The needlewood tree is a medium to tall evergreen tree in the tea family (Theaceae). It is found in the warm-temperate regions of southeast Asia. The genus name, Schima, is derived from the Greek word for shadow, skiasma. This probably refers to the shadow that the dense crown of the tree creates. It is named after Nathaniel Wallich, a Danish botanist. There are different common names depending on the country's location. It has been found in a wide variety of habitats including mountain forests, grasslands, rainforests, swamps, and roadside ditches in its native country. Even though the needlewood tree can grow in a variety of habitats and soils, it grows best in acidic, well-drained soils and warm, humid climates. They can grow in full sun or part shade. In southeast Asia, they can grow up to 130 feet. However, needlewood trees grown from seeds in California and Texas have only grown twenty to forty feet tall, and twenty feet wide after 20 years. The largest cultivated needlewood tree in Britain is sixty-five feet. The needlewood tree is very fragrant and can bloom several times a year. They only need a moderate amount of water. It has survived light frosts and intense summer heat in California. They can be planted in light understory or along the roadside. The seeds can be started in a pot and can flower when it is only two feet tall. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. The inner bark can cause skin irritation.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasional Flooding
Available space
24-60 feet
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 120 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leathery green leaves are elliptic-oblong in shape with entire to slightly toothed margins. Bases are wedge-shaped and tips are acute. Leaves are 2-5 inches long and 1-2 inches wide. Delicate, shiny red new leaves accompany the flowers.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The showy white flowers at the end of twigs have five petals and many yellow stamens. It is one and a half to two and a half inches in diameter. The flowers occur throughout the year but are more abundant during the season changes.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The 5-valved capsules are found near the top of the tree and are similar to camellia seeds. The seeds are small and kidney-shaped with narrow wings.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
The reddish brown to dark grey bark has small, thick, angular pieces. The inner bark is bright red and has skin-irritating fibers.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Young branches are grayish brown and smooth with conspicuous white lenticels
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China and Malaysia
Distribution
West coast of Europe and Pacific Northwest Southeastern United States
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Uses (ethnobotany)
The inner bark can irritate the skin and is used as a fish poison in southeast Asia. Also used for firewood, leather making from the tannis and paper-making. It has also been used in herbal medicine.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Pond; Recreational Play Area; Riparian; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Flowering Tree; Shade Tree; Street Tree
Garden tags
#flowering tree #heat tolerant #long bloom time #stream banks #pond margins #showy flowers #evergreen tree #humidity tolerant #white flowers #contact dermatitis #shade tree #repeat flowering