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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides is an evergreen Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Podocarpus dacrydioides.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Gum

Fruit - raw. A sweet taste[128, 153], it is palatable but with a slightly oily taste[173]. Also used as a masticatory[183] (this last report probably refers to the use of the resin). A resin is obtained from the tree[153], it is used as a chewing gum[173].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Gum Hedge Hedge Resin Wood

Plants are fairly amenable to trimming and could possible be grown as a hedge in mild areas of the country[200]. Wood - yellowish, easily worked. Used for general carpentry and for paper pulp[1, 46, 64, 171].

Special Uses

Hedge Hedge

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires sheltered moist woodland conditions[166]. Plants are not very frost-tolerant and are only hardy outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[1, 81]. In their native habitat trees can reach 45 metres in height, but they are slow growing in Britain and rarely exceed 6 metres[11, 185].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

The seed can be very slow to germinate, often taking 18 months or more. It is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible[200]. 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. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Cuttings of short leading shoots, late summer in a frame[1]. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. It side shoots are used as cuttings they will form prostrate plants[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides - (A.Rich.)de Laub.