Dacrydium cupressinum
| Dacrydium cupressinum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 98' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Dacrydium cupressinum (common name: rimu)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a freely draining compost[1]. It 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[2]. 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.
Cuttings of short leading shoots in early autumn[3].
Cultivation: Requires a light, freely draining soil in a sheltered position with protection from cold winds[1]. Requires high rainfall and humidity if it is to succeed. It tolerates shade and probably requires it in drier areas if the tree is to survive. Requires warm humid summers and mild humid winters if it is to grow well, and even then it is very slow growing[2]. It is best grown in a woodland garden[4].
This species is only hardy in the very mildest areas of the country and does not really thrive even there[3][5]. A tree on the Scilly Isles was 9 metres tall in 1970[6]. Seed from a more alpine provenance might be more successful[7].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Lowland and montane forests to 800 metres, on North, South and Stewart Islands[8].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[9][10][11]. It can be somewhat constipating[12].
A resinous substance from the young branches has been used to make an alcoholic beverage resembling spruce beer[11]. The resin is bitter but edible[12]
Usage: The heartwood is extremely resinous and is used as a torch[13].
Tannin is obtained from the bark[14][15].
Wood - beautifully marked. Much used for construction, railway sleepers, furniture etc[3][5][14][15][16].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Brooker, Stanley. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, 1991.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.