Botanical name:

Fuscospora cliffortioides  (Nothofagus solandri var. cliffortioides)

Common name(s):

Beech, Mountain beech

About:

These very common forest canopy trees thrives in drier upland areas, bearing small leathery leaves that are arranged along the twig. These leaves display a paler underside and feature incurved margins, creating a distinctive appearance. Typically, the leaves measure about 10 to 15 mm in length, giving them a pointed look. While the flowers and fruits of this tree may be inconspicuous, both these reproductive features and the new leaf growth can noticeably change the overall colour of the tree throughout different seasons.

Natural habitat: 

Montane forest and subalpine forest and scrub. Often forming a dense, almost monospecific forest especially along the main North Island axial ranges and along the drier, eastern side of the South Island.

Growing environment:

Frost & wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South Islands. Common from the Central Volcanic Plateau and adjacent main axial ranges of the North Island south.

Height: 25m

Flowering: 

November - January with a red/pink coloured flower/s.

Fruiting:

February – April

Uses: 

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Forests

How to grow:

Easy from fresh seed, Cuttings are very difficult to strike. Young plants are very quick growing but do best in cool climates.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though