Common Name: Kahikatea

Scientific Name: Dacrycarpus dacrydioides / White Pine

Height: 50-65 meters

Altitude: 0-750m

Time to Maturity: 10 years + (10m)

Growth Rate: Slow – medium

Life Span: 600 years

Habitat: Growing throughout NZ in altitudes up to 750m in northland and sea level in Stewart island. Loves well draining river old river beds and having wet feet, but will grow in most soil types. Before human arrival it was a very common tree throughout the country and is sometimes referred to as dinosaur tree as the species has been around for 50-70 million years.

Domesticated Uses: Being the tallest NZ tree, make sure you have the right back yard. There is the potential to hedge them for the avid gardener.

Medicinal Uses: n/a

Forest Uses: One of the main New Zealand podocarps, mature trees provide an abundance of fruit for the native bird life. Unfortunately likes to grow in areas suitable for dairy farming.

Flowering: As a conifer, it has no flowers, but does have cones.

Fruiting/Nectar: ~Autumn, A fully mature tree can fruit up to 800kg

Birds Life: Prolific fruiting habit it is important for bio-diversity, and the kereru especially love it.

Planting Instructions: Plant after the last frost!