Over-exploitation and lack of protection is leading to a decline of a protected calcicolous tree species Excentrodendron hsienmu (Tiliaceae) in China

Excentrodendron hsienmu (W. Y. Chun and K. C. How) H. T. Chang and R. H. Miau (Tiliaceae) is a protected species in China but little is known about its present status in the field. The natural regeneration is satisfactory but the age structure of hsienmu forests is highly biased as a result of selective felling of young trees and large trees. Large hsienmu trees are used to make chopping blocks and young trees are cut as fuelwood; both these uses are contributing to the decline in population. Despite being a protected species, it appears that no official concrete protection measures have been adopted. Illegal felling of big trees has continued and cutting of young trees as fuelwood is common, especially in forests far from villages. In areas close to villages or that are difficult to access, hsienmu forests are mostly protected. A ban on tree felling and on the sale of chopping blocks made from hsienmu wood, and closure of hsienmu forests to human intervention, would help to protect this important tree species, but the local population need to be provided with alternative options for income generation and fuel in order for protection measures to be accepted and have a chance of success.