Generally, the planting environment for black tea trees needs to meet the following conditions:

1. Tropical or subtropical climate

2. Sufficient rainfall during high-temperature seasons

3. Weakly acidic soil

4. Good soil drainage

Growth Environment of Yichang Black Tea

Climate

Features a subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 14-18°C in tea areas. Yichang has an average annual temperature of 16.9°C, frost-free period of 283 days, tea tree growth period of 248 days above 10°C, and effective accumulated temperature of 5401°C. Enshi has an average annual temperature of 16.3°C, frost-free period of 280 days, tea tree growth period of 247 days above 10°C, and effective accumulated temperature of 5171°C. Changde, near 29°N latitude, typically receives annual precipitation of 1200-1600mm, concentrated during March-September when tea trees are developing.

Soil and Topography

The soil primarily consists of yellow-brown earth, red soil, yellow soil, and acidic purple soil formed from weathered gneiss, sandstone, shale, slate, and granite. pH values mostly range between 4.5-6.5. Free from industrial pollution and rich in essential trace elements like zinc and selenium, it's ideal for the formation and accumulation of nutrients in tea trees,被誉为茶树生长的天然"绿色宝库".

Yihong tea is produced in the Wuling and Daba mountain systems, most widely distributed in the Wuling mountainous area. Peaks reach 2000-3000m in altitude, while tea trees are mainly distributed at elevations of 300-1000m in low and medium-high mountain areas.