Abstract:The famous “living fossil”—Cathaya argyrophylla was distributed at high norther nlatitudes during the Tertiary time, but now exists only loccally in a very restricted range in the south region of China. The Cathaya forest of Jinfushan is in fair preservation and has more abundance than others, where we made investigation in 1978. This paper deals with an approach to the environmental Condition, forestry nature, com- munity charactor and dynamics of Cathaya forest in Jinfushan. Being highly intolerant, Cathaya requires drier and exposed sites on the mountain ridge and rocky cliff, but is cannot compete successfully with broad leaved trees under moister sites. From sampling at a number of points within community, the relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance of each tree species were determined, the results show the importance values: Cathaya argyrophylla 120.55; Fagus lucida 80.54; Cyclobalanopsis glauca 37.74; Acanthopanax evodiaefolius 37.01; Ilex franchetiana 24.16. Base on the measurements of community similarity coefficient the Cathaya mixed forest is more similar to evergreen broad leaved forest in surrounding neighbors than Cathaya mixed forests in the other areas, through analysis of the population dynamics the regeneration of seedlings of Cathaya are very few at understory condition, in the cause of time, the Cathaya mixed forest will gradually change to forest dominated by some more tolerant broad leaved trees. Finally, some problems of relic character of Cathaya ar.e discussed as follow: 1. two refuges; 2. the relic nature of dominant species; 3. the similarity of each other in habitat; 4. the hereditary character less adapted with present environment; 5. the low breeding potential and endangered state. Because of south relic species will eventually perish through competition between species, therefore, it is necessary to do a better job in the protection. As same time, in order to change this weakened natural condition the positive action is needed to promote growth of regenerative seedlings as wall as strength management of young trees and scientific research of breeding.