Kahikatea
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides

Family: Podocarpaceae

What it is like

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides is an evergreen Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) 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 dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. 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). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 6

Where it is found

Lowland forest, often dominant in swamp forests, North, South and Stewart Islands.

New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw. A sweet taste, it is palatable but with a slightly oily taste. Also used as a masticatory (this last report probably refers to the use of the resin). A resin is obtained from the tree, it is used as a chewing gum.

Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Plants are fairly amenable to trimming and could possible be grown as a hedge in mild areas of the country. Wood - yellowish, easily worked. Used for general carpentry and for paper pulp.

Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Resin: Used in perfumery, medicines, paints, soap making etc. This also includes turpentine, which is extracted from many resins and used as a preservative, water proofer etc,

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Requires sheltered moist woodland conditions. Plants are not very frost-tolerant and are only hardy outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain. In their native habitat trees can reach 45 metres in height, but they are slow growing in Britain and rarely exceed 6 metres.

Propagating it: The seed can be very slow to germinate, often taking 18 months or more. It is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. 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. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Cuttings of short leading shoots, late summer in a frame. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. It side shoots are used as cuttings they will form prostrate plants.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Podocarpus dacrydioides.