VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Torreya taxifolia | Florida Torreya 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
Commercial harvesting of Florida torreya is nonexistant due to scant
availablility [11].  The fine-grained yellow wood is, however, highly
attractive and of good quality [2].  It is lightweight, hard, strong,
and highly durable [14].  The wood was historically used for making
cabinets and fenceposts [15].  Fences made of Florida torreya 60 years
ago are still sound [2].  Florida torreya was also used for Christmas
trees [14].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Various animals eat Florida torreya seeds [14]. 


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Florida torreya was planted as an ornamental on the Biltmore Estate,
Asheville, North Carolina [14].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Florida torreya is almost extinct in its natural range [9].  In 1988 the
Center for Plant Conservation stated that Florida torreya faces such a
serious and immediate threat of extinction that it will be gone in 10
years unless concerted conservation steps are taken [4].  An intricate
array of circumstances threatens Florida torreya.  The population is
reduced because of habitat destruction by inundation and logging and
fungal pathogens that kill young trees before they reach sexual maturity
[4,21].

Disease:  Florida torreya populations are drastically reduced by stem
and needle blights [2].  The fungi responsible for these blights have
been identified as members of the genera Physalospora and Macrophoma.
As many as 11 species of fungi attack Florida torreya [9,13].  How the
infection begins is unknown.  It may begin with fungi attacking the tree
while the fungi are in their sexual reproductive cycle [14].  

Sudden exposure to full sunlight following logging of other tree species
may stress Florida torreya, leading to susceptibility to fungal invasion
[12].

Fungicide:  Infected Florida torreya trees treated with the commercial
fungicide Maneb recovered markedly and produced new growth with little
or no infection [12,14].

Pests:  Feral pigs uproot and destroy Florida torreya seedlings [20].
Deer preferrentially select Florida torreya saplings as antler rubbing
posts, and sometimes kill saplings while rubbing their antlers [21].

Related categories for Species: Torreya taxifolia | Florida Torreya