The controllable synthesis of hexagonal pine-like Zn-doped CdSe (Cd1-xZnxSe, x = 0.1-0.3) nanotrees from the self-prepared mixed-metal precursors has been achieved by two facile steps: first, mixed-metal precursors (x = 0.1-0.3) were prepared directly through precipitation reactions of stoichiometric cadmium acetate, zinc acetate and sodium selenite in distilled water under ambient condition: second, pure hexagonal phase pine-like Cd1-xZnxSe (x = 0.1-0.3) nanotrees with different ratios were produced via solvothermal treatment of the precursor compounds in hydrazine hydrate at 180 degrees C for 12 h. The products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. It was observed that the optical band gap energies of the as-synthesized Cd1-xZnxSe (x = 0.1-0.3) nanotrees shift systematically toward shorter wavelengths with an increase of the Zn content. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.