Practical
Plants

Lagarostrobus franklinii

Huon Pine

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
Growth rate
slow
Height
15 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

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

The source of an essential oil, called Huon pinewood oil, that has been recommended for the production of vanillin[11][7]. This can be used as a flavouring in ice creams, confectionery, beverages etc[7]. It is usually obtained by steam distillation of the wood[2].

Product or use
Condiment

Material uses

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

The essential oil (see above) is also used in medicinal soaps, toilet water, as a preservative in casein paints etc[10][11][2]. Wood - fairly hard, straight grained, light, soft, strong, aromatic. It is very durable, containing a strongly scented resin that repels insects. Used for construction, furniture etc[11][2][6].

Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Resin

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
Australia - S. and W. Tasmania.
Habitat
Banks of rivers and swampy flats to 750 metres[1][6].
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. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[4]. 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[9]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible.

Cultivation

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

Requires a light, freely draining soil[4] in a sheltered position with protection from cold winds[5]. Requires high rainfall and humidity if it is to succeed[9]. This species tolerates shade and probably requires it in drier areas if the tree is to survive[12][9]. It requires warm summers if it is to grow well in this country, and even then it is very slow growing[1][9]. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country[1][12]. An 80 year old tree at Bodnant was 6 metres tall in 1970[8]. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[3] but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and colder, wetter winters.

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  6. Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3

    ↩1↩2

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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