Botanical name:

Lophozonia menziesii (Nothofagus menziesii)

Common name(s):

Beech, Silver Beech, Southern Beech, Tawhai, t whairauriki

About:

A tree belonging to the southern beech family, which is endemic to New Zealand, can be found in a variety of habitats. It typically flourishes in lowland to montane forests and is also encountered in the shrublands of the sub-alpine zone, specifically from Thames southwards on the North Island and throughout the entirety of the South Island. The silver beech is an impressive evergreen forest tree that can reach heights of up to 30 m. Its trunk, which often showcases a distinctive buttressed structure, may attain diameters of up to 2 m. The timber of this tree is known for its striking red colour, as well as being exceptionally tough, strong, and possessing a straight grain. While the flowers and fruits of the tree are generally inconspicuous, the coloration of the tree itself serves as an unmistakable indicator of the seasonality of its growth.

Natural habitat:

Lowland to montane forest or as shrub in subalpine scrub.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Shade & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

North and South Islands from the Hauraki Gulf southwards, except Mount Egmont.

Height: 30m

Flowering: 

November – January with a green, red/pink coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

January - March

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Flowers , Forests, Pioneer Plantings, Shade trees & Timber

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed.

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