Botanical name:

Metrosideros excelsa v. Red

Common name(s):

NZ Christmas Tree, Pohutukawa

About:

A magnificent Native New Zealand flowering tree, known for its impressive beauty, features a short trunk and wide spreading branches that provide ample shade. This large, sprawling coastal tree is characterised by its leathery oval leaves and is famous for bearing masses of vibrant red bristly flowers during the festive Christmas season. It naturally occurs north of Poverty Bay and north of Taranaki but has been successfully cultivated and can now be found as far south as Dunedin. This tree serves as an excellent coastal specimen and is also an ideal shelter tree for various wildlife. The nectar produced in January is particularly enticing to both birds and bees, making it a valuable addition to any garden. It is easy to grow and demonstrates remarkable hardiness, thriving in diverse conditions.

Natural habitat:

Coastal forest and on occasion inland around lake margins. Also in the far north occasionally an associate of kauri forest. In some northerly locations it forms forest type in its own right - this forest is dominated by pohutukawa, other associates often include tawapou (Pouteria costata), kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile), puriri (Vitex lucens), karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus), and on rodent-free offshore islands the frequent presence of coastal maire (Nestegis apetala), and milk tree (Streblus banksii) suggests these species too may once have been important in mainland examples of pohutukawa forest.

Growing environment:

Sun, Salt, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand: Three Kings Islands and North Island from North Cape to about Pukearuhe, (northern Taranaki) in the west and near Mahia Peninsula (in the east). However, exact southern limit is difficult to ascertain as it has been widely planted and there is evidence that old time Maori cultivated the tree in some southerly areas. Found inland around the Rotorua Lakes and at Lake Taupo - though these occurrences could stem from Maori plantings (though the association of other normally coastal species around these lakes argues against this). Now widely planted throughout the rest of New Zealand (especially around Nelson, the Marlborough Sounds, the Kaikoura Coast and on the west coast to about Hokitika).

Height: 15m

Flowering: 

(August-) November-December (-March) with a red/pink coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

(January-) March-April (-May)

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant & Bee food.

How to grow:

Very easy from fresh seed. Seed must be sown fresh, even if left for a few weeks before sowing viability can drop, especially if seed is allowed to dry out. Very difficult from cuttings, though soft wood water shoots give the best results. Can be grafted onto seedlings.

** These seeds requires light to germinate. For best results germinate the seed on top of moist seed rising mix, don't cover just keep moist until germination is complete.