Practical
Plants

Lagarostrobus colensoi

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Lagarostrobus genus in the family Podocarpaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Material uses

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

Wood - firm, compact, even grained. Used for cabinet work, construction, making agricultural implements etc[6].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowland to montane forests between latitudes 35 and 45°s, on North and South Islands[5].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in a freely draining compost. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[1]. Another report says that the seed can be very slow to germinate and that it is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[4]. 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.

Cultivation

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

Requires a light, freely draining soil[1] in a sheltered position with protection from cold winds[2]. Requires high rainfall and humidity if it is to succeed[4]. This species tolerates shade and probably requires it in drier areas if the tree is to survive. It requires warm summers if it is to grow well in this country, and even then it is very slow growing[4]. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country[7]. A tree at Borde Hill in Sussex was 2 metres tall in 1970[3]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  7. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩

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