Celery Top Pine
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Family: Podocarpaceae
What it is like
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 10
Where it is found
Rainforests and lighter Eucalyptus forests in rich humid situations.
Australia - Tasmania.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Wood - fairly heavy, durable in the soil, works well. Used for flooring, boat building, cabinet making. It is fairly resistant to some acids and has very little expansion or contraction due to moisture changes.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Prefers a good loamy soil containing leaf mold. Succeeds in a good open soil but if it is to thrive it needs copious rainfall, high humidity and warmer conditions than are normally found in Britain. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens, though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. They might succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain but are very slow growing in cultivation.
Propagating it: Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings in a sandy soil in a cool or slightly warm frame in spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist