Nothofagus cunninghamii
Myrtle Beech
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Nothofagus genus in the family Fagaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Genus
- Nothofagus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 55 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Wood - strong, tough, close grained, light, polishes well. Used for joinery, cogs of wheels, furniture etc[3][4][6].
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- Australia - Tasmania and Victoria.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- 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[8]. 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[8]. 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][8]. Succeeds on most soils but dislikes calcareous soils[1][8]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 7 but dislikes acid peats[8]. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[5], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. They only succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain[1]. Young plants at Crarae in western Scotland in 1992 appear to be very hardy and robust[7]. Plants in the wild vary in size from shrubs to very big trees according to rainfall and altitude[2]. Trees have poor wind resistance in Britain, probably because they grow so fast[2]. Another report says that this species is slow growing in cultivation[5]. 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[8]. Another report says that the tree transplants badly[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0
Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3
Letter from Crarae Garden, March 1993. - 1993-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6