In order to clearly understand the distribution area of the potential habitat and the status quo of the protection for Chinese second-class protected tree species, Torreya yunnanensis. In the study, the authors used the Maximum Entropy Model (MaxEnt) and Geographical Information System (ArcGIS 10.2) to simulate Torreya yunnanensis' potential habitat distribution by analysing the data on 50 recorded points of Torreya yunnanensis' geographical location and the data on 7 main environmental factors. These factors include mean precipitation of the coldest quarter, precipitation seasonality (Coefficient of Variation), annual range of temperature, soil bulk density, soil type, aspect of the terrain, and subsoil clay fraction, which had a high influence on its distributing location in Yunnan Province of China. Then, the geographical range of potential habitat of Torreya yunnanensis simulated in this paper was overlapped with that of the nature reserves in Yunnan Province. The results showed that:(1) the MaxEnt model was used to simulate the geographical distribution of Torreya yunnanensis' potential habitat indicating high accuracy (AUC=0.977). (2) The distribution area of Torreya yunnanensis' potential habitat in Yunnan Province was mainly concentrated in the three-river parallel flow area of China. The future distribution areas of Torreya yunnanensis' living environment are mainly distributed in Gaoligong Mountain Nature Reserve (2364.35 km², 58.35%), Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve (846.46 km², 31.66%) and Yunling Nature Reserve (625.55 km², 82.42%). (3) Mean precipitation of the coldest quarter (> 75.58 mm) and precipitation seasonality (Coefficient of Variation) (< 64.28) and annual range of temperature (24.08-26.40℃) were the main climatic factors affecting the future distribution of Torreya yunnanensis in Yunnan. (4) The Jinsha River may be an important communication channel for Torreya species. Based on the above findings, it is suggested that a Torreya yunnanensis' nature conservation community should be established in Weixi County, Yunnan Province. Torreya yunnanensis should be introduced and cultivated on a pilot basis in the high suitability areas of Gaoligong Mountain Nature Reserve, Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve and Yunling Nature Reserve for exploring the interaction between Torreya yunnanensis and the local natural environment and whether Torreya yunnanensis is suitable for large-scale cultivation.