Foliage and Growth Habit

The Kahikatea starts with a bushy, conical shape in its juvenile stage before gradually developing into a tall, columnar tree with a straight trunk and highly branched crown. Its soft, feathery foliage transitions from yellow-green in young plants to a deeper rich green as it matures. The distinctive, buttressed trunk in older specimens provides stability in wet conditions, making it well-suited for swampy areas.

Growth and Conditions

• Size: Can reach an impressive 55m in height in natural conditions but typically grows 10–20m in gardens.

• Sun Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.

• Soil Needs: Prefers moist, fertile soil and tolerates poorly drained or swampy conditions.

• Hardiness: Frost-tolerant and highly adaptable to various climates.

Ideal Uses in Landscaping

🌳 Feature Tree – Its towering stature makes it a statement tree for large gardens, parks, and landscapes.
🌱 Wetland and Riparian Planting – Thrives in damp, swampy areas, helping to stabilize riverbanks and improve biodiversity.
🦜 Wildlife Habitat – Produces small fleshy cones that attract native birds such as kererū and tūī.
🌲 Native and Restoration Planting – A key species for reforestation and native ecosystem restoration.

Care and Maintenance

The Kahikatea is low-maintenance once established. It benefits from regular watering in dry conditions but is naturally suited to wet areas. While slow-growing at first, it becomes a long-lived, resilient tree that requires little intervention. Pruning is rarely needed, as it develops a strong, self-sufficient structure over time.

Why Choose Dacrycarpus dacrydioides?

✔ New Zealand’s tallest native tree – a historic and majestic addition to any landscape.
✔ Thrives in wet, challenging conditions – ideal for riparian and wetland planting.
✔ Wildlife-friendly – provides food and shelter for native birds.
✔ Low-maintenance and hardy – adapts to various climates and soil types.

Whether you're looking to create a legacy tree, improve biodiversity, or establish a native woodland, the Kahikatea is an exceptional choice. With its striking height, lush evergreen foliage, and ecological importance, this tree is a treasure in any natural landscape.

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📏 Standard Size – Supplied in 7cm square pots. See images for size reference.

📸 Example Photos – View pictures with a ruler for an accurate size comparison.

🚛 Shipping – A shipping charge applies (carton holds 50 plants). See shipping info here.

📦 Immediate Dispatch – Available for immediate despatch only.

⏳ Limited Stock – Only while stocks last!

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