Practical
Plants

Fitzroya cupressoides

Alerce

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Fitzroya genus in the family Cupressaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
10 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used for caulking boats[3]. Wood - light, very durable, immune to insect attacks, of excellent quality. It is used for construction, carpentry, musical instruments etc[6][7][3].

Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
S. America - Chile, Argentina.
Habitat
Usually found in boggy ground up to 800 metres, though it is also found at higher and cooler altitudes that have high atmospheric humidity, it is then usually associated with Nothofagus dombeyi.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in early spring 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. Once they have reached a height of at least 30cm, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[5]. Cuttings, August, in a sandy soil in a frame[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This species dislikes soils that dry out rapidly, preferring an acid soil with a pH around 5[5]. It grows best in humid conditions, especially on north facing slopes or in the shelter of a woodland edge[5]. It dislikes cold drying winds[5]. A very ornamental tree[1], it is much hardier in Britain than was once thought[2]. Generally a very slow growing tree in Britain but young plants can grow 30cm a year and growth can continue until October[4]. A very slow growing and long-lived tree in its native habitat[3][5], probably to 3000 years or more, but trees are unlikely to survive that long in Britain[5]. Plants grow best in the mild and damp maritime climate of south-west and west Britain[4][5]. Plants can be monoecious or dioecious, though they are more often dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is to be produced, though there is a report that trees rarely produce fertile seed in Britain[5]..

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. ? Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  7. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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