Pterocarya macroptera

The main threats to Pterocarya macroptera include the destruction or artificialization of riparian habitats (Kozlowski et al. 2018). However, compared to the other species of the genus occupying the same type of environment (P. hupehensis, P. stenoptera and P. tonkinensis), P. macroptera seems less affected by human activities, as the species grows generally at higher elevations in more remote areas. Generally, forests and riparian habitats located in deep mountain valleys at higher elevations face less damage and are presently still well preserved (Kozlowski et al. 2018). This is particularly true in mountainous areas in the centre of China, but it could slightly differ in other regions of the country, such as Yunnan and Guizhou provinces where afforestation and agriculture by local communities are frequent even in higher altitudes. Another threat for the long term conservation of this tree is the low production of seeds combined with the low survival rate of the young seedlings.

The three infra-specific varieties were all assessed as Least Concern in China (Red List of Chinese Plants 2019). Field explorations are still necessary to confirm ancient indications and to estimate more precisely the total number of individuals. The species is not very common in cultivation and is reported to have at least 19 ex situ collections worldwide (BGCI PlantSearch 2019). An ex situ conservation program should be initiated to protect the genetic diversity of the species. Afforestation projects in mountainous degraded riparian habitats could play an important role to promote the species.