Abstract:To determine the optimal light intensity for the growth of Phoebe chekiangensis container seedlings, a comparative study was conducted on the growth characteristics of seedlings under different shading intensities (50%, 70%, and 90%). The results revealed consistent trends in the growth differences of average plant height and ground diameter across shade treatments: seedlings under 70% shading intensity exhibited the highest values, while those under 90% shading intensity showed the lowest. The median values of both plant height and ground diameter followed the same pattern: maximum values under 70% shading intensity and minimum under 50% shading intensity. The distributions of plant height, ground diameter, and height-to-diameter ratio were left-skewed across all treatments, except for the right-skewed height-to-diameter ratio distribution under 50% shading intensity. Plant height distribution was relatively concentrated under 50% shading intensity but more dispersed under 70% and 90% shading intensity. Across all treatments, the majority of seedlings (over 81.00%) exhibited height-to-diameter ratios within the range of [50, 100].Significant positive correlations were observed between plant height and both ground diameter and height-to-diameter ratio, while a highly significant negative partial correlation existed between height-to-diameter ratio and ground diameter.Conclusion: Cultivation of Phoebe chekiangensis container seedlings under 70% shading intensity is recommended to achieve balanced growth parameters and enhanced seedling quality.