Cunninghamia an evergreen tree used extensively in agroforestry throughout China. It is a fast growing tree resistant to termites and rotting. The bark is used for roofing and siding material and like the wood, is very resistant to rotting. When a tree is to be cut down the bark for about 1 1/2 meters is stripped off. This is done in the spring when the bark is easiest to slip from the tree. Since the tree is exposed to the hotter part of the year it dies in a short time. In the fall the tree is then cut down and the rest of the bark stripped and used for making fires. The bark that is first taken from the tree, as seen in the accompanying image, is the bark used for roofing or siding and lasts approximately 5 years before being replaced. With the use of clay tile roofs, bark is now used less often for roofing material on homes and is used more often for enclosures for stock.