Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) is a major commercial tree species in South China producing about one fourth of the Nation's total high quality commercial timber. Because of the growing need for timber, pure Chinese fir plantations have been extensively replanted on the same site in successive rotations. The resulting soil degradation has resulted in poor establishment and decline in productivity which have become a major barrier to the sustainable management of Chinese fir plantations. ...