Abstract: North America (incl. Central America) is one of the improtant donors of Chinese exotic tress. About 500 woody species in 202 genera have been grown in China for many year. Improtant tree species are Pinus spp, Taxodium spp, Robinia pseudoacacia, Amorpha fruticosa, and Populus spp, which make up 75% of the exotic tree plantation area in China. Prosperous woody species are those of Cupressaceae, Quercus, Acer, Carya, Prunus, Swietenia, Fraxinus, Magnoliaceae, and Cactaceae etc., which originate mainly form E. North America and tropical America, while those species originated in W. North America, such as Picea sitchensis, Pinus radiata, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Simmondsia jojoba, are unsuitable for plantation in China except in SW. China. Provenance trials have been conducted since 1970s for a few major tree species, species/provenance trials are still needed for most exotic woody species.

Key words: North America, woody plant, tree introduction