Practical
Plants

Nothofagus betuloides

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Nothofagus genus in the family Fagaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Fagaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
20 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Material uses

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

The bark is used for making buckets and torches, it is also used as a torch which suggests that it is rich in resin[8]. Wood - heavy, hard. It has similar uses to Fagus sylvatica, the native Beech[6][7].

Product or use
Containers
Product or use
Lighting
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
S. America - Argentina, Chile.
Habitat
Dominant or locally dominant in evergreen forest on better drained sites in areas of higher rainfall from sea level to 500 metres in S. Chile[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cool greenhouse or cold frame. Spring-sown seed requires 2 - 3 months stratification at 1 - 5°c[5]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed must not be allowed to dry out according to one report[10] whilst another says that the seed can be stored dry at 2°c for long periods[5]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[9]. Layering.

Cultivation

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

Prefers an open well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[1][5]. Succeeds on most soils but dislikes calcareous soils[5]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 7, but dislikes acid peats[5]. This species is fairly hardy in southern Britain[1] but it only makes a shrub in exposed positions[5]. A 30 year old tree (1992) has made remarkable growth at Crarae in western Scotland[4]. Trees have poor wind resistance in Britain, probably because they grow so fast[2]. Dislikes cold winds but is tolerant of warm moist winds[3]. Trees up to 4 metres tall can be successfully established, though the optimum size for transplanting is about 30 - 80cm. The roots are very sensitive to desiccation and extreme care should be taken when transplanting them[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[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. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  4. Letter from Crarae Garden, March 1993. - 1993-00-00

    ↩

  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

    ↩

  8. Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson. 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-904614-05-0

    ↩1↩2

  9. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  10. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩

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