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Dacrydium cupressinum - Sol. ex Lamb.

Common Name Rimu, New zealand red pine
Family Podocarpaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lowland and montane forests to 800 metres, on North, South and Stewart Islands[44].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Dacrydium cupressinum Rimu, New zealand red pine


Dacrydium cupressinum Rimu, New zealand red pine

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Dacrydium cupressinum is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) 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) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 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

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Drink

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 153, 183]. It can be somewhat constipating[173]. A resinous substance from the young branches has been used to make an alcoholic beverage resembling spruce beer[183]. The resin is bitter but edible[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

Lighting  Tannin  Wood

The heartwood is extremely resinous and is used as a torch[128]. Tannin is obtained from the bark[46, 61]. Wood - beautifully marked. Much used for construction, railway sleepers, furniture etc[1, 11, 46, 61, 171].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light, freely draining soil in a sheltered position with protection from cold winds[164]. 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[200]. It is best grown in a woodland garden[166]. This species is only hardy in the very mildest areas of the country and does not really thrive even there[1, 11]. A tree on the Scilly Isles was 9 metres tall in 1970[185]. Seed from a more alpine provenance might be more successful[81]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a freely draining compost[164]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[164]. 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[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. Cuttings of short leading shoots in early autumn[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Sol. ex Lamb.

Botanical References

1144200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Thomas Pauls   Thu Nov 9 2006

Hallo! We in the Botanical Garden of the Uni. Bonn will try to plant a large Dacrydium cupressinum (6 m) from the temperate Greenhouse outside in our Arboretum. We want to plant the tree after the winter an I prefere a wet place near our pond, because we had in Bonn especially in the last years very hot and dry sommers.

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