Libocedrus plumosa. Kawaka, Kaikawaka
Libocedrus plumosa, the Kawaka or New Zealand Cedar (in early days called New Zealand Arbor vitae) is one of the nicest garden conifers available.
Its graceful feathery foliage, mid to light green in colour, has an almost fern like look to it. Not only does it have nice foliage but also it has an excellent growing habit. Its upright elegant habit which always keeps its shape, makes it an ideal specimen for a lawn or in the Garden. It is nicer than upright pencil cypresses.
As a slow grower it does not make any demands for pruning and shaping and it grows quite well in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions.
Its wood, if you dare to cut it, is dark red with even darker streaks though it. The timber is very durable and hardy but as there is not much of it, it is of not much use.
It is found growing naturally in the North Island ad the top of the South Island however in cultivation it will grow in most places in NZ. It is grown overseas as an ornamental plant and it appears to have more plantings there than in New Zealand. In nature large older specimens may be between 18 and 27 metres high.
Flowers are typical of conifers having both male and female flowers, with the quite nicely shaped female cones growing up to 12mm long and holding two seeds.
Belonging to the Cupressaceae family this genus include about 5 species two of which are native to New Zealand.
It was first discovered by Robert Cunningham in the Bay of Islands. It grows in lowland forests up to about 600m altitude.
The international Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN) classifies it as vulnerable as the species requires ample land to complete its life cycle to make it sustainable in nature. Currently it is known in about 1250 square kilometres which is marginal.
See images on my Pinterest page Libocedrus plumosa
Its graceful feathery foliage, mid to light green in colour, has an almost fern like look to it. Not only does it have nice foliage but also it has an excellent growing habit. Its upright elegant habit which always keeps its shape, makes it an ideal specimen for a lawn or in the Garden. It is nicer than upright pencil cypresses.
As a slow grower it does not make any demands for pruning and shaping and it grows quite well in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions.
Its wood, if you dare to cut it, is dark red with even darker streaks though it. The timber is very durable and hardy but as there is not much of it, it is of not much use.
It is found growing naturally in the North Island ad the top of the South Island however in cultivation it will grow in most places in NZ. It is grown overseas as an ornamental plant and it appears to have more plantings there than in New Zealand. In nature large older specimens may be between 18 and 27 metres high.
Flowers are typical of conifers having both male and female flowers, with the quite nicely shaped female cones growing up to 12mm long and holding two seeds.
Belonging to the Cupressaceae family this genus include about 5 species two of which are native to New Zealand.
It was first discovered by Robert Cunningham in the Bay of Islands. It grows in lowland forests up to about 600m altitude.
The international Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN) classifies it as vulnerable as the species requires ample land to complete its life cycle to make it sustainable in nature. Currently it is known in about 1250 square kilometres which is marginal.
See images on my Pinterest page Libocedrus plumosa