Nothofagus cunninghamii
| Nothofagus cunninghamii | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 180' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Nothofagus cunninghamii (common name: myrtle beech)
Propagation: 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[1]. 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[2] whilst another says that the seed can be stored dry at 2°c for long periods[1].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[3].
Layering.
Cultivation: Prefers an open well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[4][1]. Succeeds on most soils but dislikes calcareous soils[4][1]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 7 but dislikes acid peats[1].
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[4]. Young plants at Crarae in western Scotland in 1992 appear to be very hardy and robust[6].
Plants in the wild vary in size from shrubs to very big trees according to rainfall and altitude[7].
Trees have poor wind resistance in Britain, probably because they grow so fast[7]. 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[1]. Another report says that the tree transplants badly[8].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Range: Australia - Tasmania and Victoria.
Habitat: Moist sheltered localities in temperate rainforests[8][9].
Usage: Wood - strong, tough, close grained, light, polishes well. Used for joinery, cogs of wheels, furniture etc[8][9][10].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Monoecious
Also Known As: Fagus cunninghamii.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ Letter from Crarae Garden March 1993. 1993.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cribb, Alan. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins, 1981.
- ↑ Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.