Botanical name:

Dacrydium cupressinum 

Common name(s):

Rimu, red pine

About:

Rimu is a slow-growing tree that can reach heights of up to 50m. It is commonly found as an emergent species within mixed broadleaf temperate rainforests, though nearly pure stands are present, particularly along the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. The lifespan of the rimu can extend to approximately 800 to 900 years. This species is dioecious, meaning that male and female cones develop on separate trees, with the seeds taking about 15 months to mature after pollination. Birds play a vital role in seed dispersal by consuming the fleshy scales and subsequently passing the seeds through their droppings. The seeds serve as an important food source for specific species, notably the kakapo, whose breeding cycle is correlated with the rimu's cone production cycle. Although rimu has a long juvenile period and requires a considerable amount of moisture for establishment, it is commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree in New Zealand, appreciated for its aesthetic appeal at various stages of growth.

Natural habitat:

Lowland to montane forest - occasionally ascending to subalpine scrub.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade, Wetland & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

North, South and Stewart Islands from North Cape south. Uncommon in large parts of the eastern South Island. Facultatively extinct on Banks Peninsula, where one natural tree is all that remains.

Height: 50m but will not often reach these heights in cultivation.

Flowering:

December – March with no discernible flowers  

Fruiting:

Fruits take a year or more to mature and co-occur with young female cones, they are most frequently seen between February and May.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Forests & Timber

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed when seeds are available, due to it potentially being several years between viable seed crops. Can also be grown from hard-wood cuttings but rather slow to strike.

** The seeds are perishable and cannot be dry stored. After collection & cleaning the seed should be placed in cold storage.