Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (Kahikatea Tree)

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (Kahikatea Tree) Details

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (aka Podocarpus dacrydioides), commonly known as Kahikatea or White Pine, is a slow growing, NZ native tree capable of reaching 50 m tall. The tree has characteristic fluting and buttressing at the base and carries branches which are slender and drooping. The foliage on juvenile trees is dark green and feathery but shortens to become somewhat scale like as the tree matures. Purple seed pods produced in autumn on mature trees are great for attracting birds. It grows best when planted in full sun on well-drained site that does not dry out. Dacrycarpus dacrydioides is tolerant of frost, cool climates, and moderate wind though will benefit from being looked after while it is establishing. The size of a Kahikatea tree makes it more suited to revegetation plantings or for growing as a specimen in a large garden or park.