Tree Lucerne

Tree Lucerne Plants In NZ

Tree lucerne is a valuable plant in New Zealand. It's widely used for livestock fodder, providing a high-protein feed source. It serves as a windbreak and shelter and helps prevent soil erosion due to its deep root system. It is also a nitrogen-fixing plant which is great for helping to improve soil fertility. It provides a food source for native birds and bees, particularly during winter.

Where Can I Get Tree Lucerne Plants In NZ?

If you are wanting one, ten, or even a thousand Tree Lucerne plants you’re in the right place. The Plant Company produces thousands of high-quality trees every year and we ship them all over NZ. Even if the plant is out of stock, contact us and I am sure we can fill your needs as we deal with several wholesalers that also produce Tree Lucerne plants.

Buying Tree Lucerne Trees In NZ

If you are wanting to buy Tree Lucerne trees in NZ, check out our range and be impressed!

Tree Lucerne Trees For Sale

The Plant Company has the best Tree Lucerne trees for sale in NZ. Our production nursery specialises in growing amazing plants and our logistics team pack them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive and the quality is exceptional. Let us look after your Tree Lucerne needs and impress you with both our products and service!

Creating a Lucerne Tree Hedge

Using Tree Lucerne to form a hedge is a practical choice for those looking to create a natural barrier or windbreak.

Growing a Lucerne Tree Hedge

Tree Lucerne make amazing hedges that can be trimmed or left untrimmed. To create a Lucerne tree hedge, space the plants 75 cm apart. The faster you want the hedge to fill in, the closer they should be planted but there is no need to go closer than 75 cm apart. Spacing them 1-2 metres apart tends to create a much wider and broader hedge rather than one that goes upwards. This is because there is less competition for light between the plants so they don’t tend to push each other upwards as they compete.

The hedge can be trimmed as little or as much as you want. On farms and lifestyle blocks this is generally done in summer when feed is short and the livestock can graze the trimmings.

Growing Tree Lucerne

Growing Tree Lucerne (Tagasaste) offers a sustainable solution for diverse landscapes. This hardy shrub thrives in dry, windy conditions, providing valuable livestock fodder and erosion control. Its nitrogen-fixing properties enrich soil, making it a key plant for regenerative agriculture and environmental resilience.

How To Plant Tree Lucerne

Choose a full sun position with good drainage for your Tree Lucerne plant. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A planting spade makes the hole digging a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring. Again, not essential but it will help the tree to grow faster.

Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag or container, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. If the roots have been growing in a circle or are all bound up you can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. Similarly, you don’t need to remove any of the growing media. The Plant Company does not recommend cutting the roots, even if the plant is root-bound as this offers no benefit. This is explained in our article, Managing Rootbound Plants.

Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure as you go. Scatter native plant fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and the give the plant a good watering.

Tagasaste Tree Lucerne Uses in New Zealand

Tree Lucerne, otherwise known as Tagasaste, has a wide range of uses in New Zealand, primarily due to its hardy nature and versatile properties. It's a valuable source of high-protein fodder for livestock, particularly in dry or drought-prone areas. Further, it has a deep root system that makes it effective for erosion control on steep slopes and in areas prone to wind erosion. Such wind protection is also employed on farms for creating wind protection for livestock. It serves well as a nurse crop for establishing native plant and fixes nitrogen in the soil at the same time. The flowers of Tree Lucerne provide a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees, especially during winter when other sources are scarce.

Tree Lucerne in NZ

Tree Lucerne, or Tagasaste, is a hardy, fast-growing shrub vital in New Zealand's drylands. It provides valuable fodder for livestock, especially in drought-prone areas. Its nitrogen-fixing abilities enrich soil, making it a sustainable choice for erosion control and land rehabilitation. Whether you're interested in creating a lucerne tree hedge, exploring its benefits for agriculture, or simply curious about growing tree lucerne in your garden, these guides will provide you with the insights you need.

What are the benefits of Tree Lucerne in NZ?

Tree Lucerne offers many benefits to the soil and wider environment in NZ:

1. Soil Improvement: As a nitrogen-fixing plant, Tree Lucerne enriches the soil, promoting healthier growth for surrounding plants.
2. Fodder Source: It serves as excellent fodder for livestock, providing a nutritious food source.
3. Windbreaks and Shelter: The dense foliage of Tree Lucerne makes it ideal for creating windbreaks and providing shelter for crops and animals.
4. Biodiversity Support: The flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects, enhancing biodiversity.

Tree Lucerne Propagation Techniques

Tree Lucerne is propagated either by seed or by cuttings. These brief articles explain how to succeed with either technique.

Can Tree Lucerne Be Grown from Cuttings?

Tree Lucerne is easily propagated from cuttings. Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually taken from autumn until mid-spring. A stem about 8-10 cm long is trimmed into a cutting using secateurs with 2-3 leaves at the top and just below a node. The cutting is dipped in rooting hormone then inserted into pumice or sand. The tray of cuttings is placed under mist with bottom heat also applied. The cuttings will have taken root inside of three weeks as a general guide.

Tree Lucerne Propagation by Seeds

Tree Lucerne propagation by seed begins with harvesting the seed from mature seed pods. The seeds are soaked in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. They are evenly spread over a well-drained seed raising mix and lightly covered. Keep the soil moist and expect germination within 2-3 weeks. Young plants are then potted on after about 12-16 weeks, depending on how quickly they are growing.