Common Name: Kahikatea

General Information

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides is an evergreen tree with a narrow, conical crown; it can grow 50 metres or moe tall, though towards the limits of its hardyness it is likely to be less than 10 metres[, , ]. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 150cm in diameter, clear of branches for a considerable height, often fluted and buttressed at the base[]. In swampy conditions the roots often form outgrowths which project above the ground around the base of
the tree[].
The tree was traditionally harvested from the wild as a food, medicine and source of materials. When Europeans first discovered New Zealand they heavily exploited this tree for its wood, to the point where most lowland forests were destroyed. With the loss of easily accessible sites, the tree was less heavily exploited, but the species remained in decline. Most sites where it grows are now (2017) protected and so the tree is little used at present.
This species, and its main forest type, has undergone a significant decline over the last several centuries due to overexploitation. However, the majority of this decline pre-dates the period of this assessment. With the virtual ceasing of commercial exploitation, and in the absence of any current or ongoing decline, the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

New Zealand - North, South and Stewart Islands.

Habitat

Lowland forest, favouring the fertile, silty, free-draining floodplains and low terraces of rivers, and the wet margins of the lowland swamps and bogs, often dominant in swamp forests; at elevations up to 600 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides is native to the lowland areas of New Zealand. Within its range, the mean annual temperature is 11.0°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 1.6°c[]. Plants are not very frost-tolerant, but when dormant can withstand occasional, short-lived temperatures falling to around -7°c[, ]. There is a mean annual precipitation of 2,913mm within its range[].
Requires sheltered moist woodland conditions[].
Although this is a lovely and distinctive tree at maturity, it tends to be scrawny as a sapling, and thus is not a popular ornamental[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A sweet taste[, ], it is palatable but with a slightly oily taste[]. Also used as a masticatory[] (this last report probably refers to the use of the resin).

A resin is obtained from the tree[], it is used as a chewing gum[, ].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is used to treat urinary and internal complaints[, ]. The leaves can be used to make medicated vapour baths[].

An infusion of the wood is highly tonic[].

An infusion of bark chips in boiling water is a good tonic for treating skin diseases[]. The bark, when chewed, causes a tingling and numbness of the lips - this should have therapeutic properties[].
The bark is used in a recipe for a lotion to apply to bruises.

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants are fairly amenable to trimming and could possibly be grown as a hedge in mild areas of the country[].

Other Uses

The burned soot of the heartwood has been used as a dye for tattooing[, ]. Mixed with oil, it can be used as a black paint[].

The resinous bark of the tree has been used to make torches[]. It burns well and can be used as a fuel[].
Sticks of resinous heartwood, tied in bundles, can be used as torches outdoors[].

An essential oil can be obtained from the tree[].

The leaves, wood and bark contain ecdysones. These are insect moulting hormones and have a potential use as a pesticide[].

The heartwood is a pale to bright yellow; the sapwood creamy white. The grain is close; there is no distinctive odour or taste. The wood is rather soft, denting easily, and is not very durable. It is easily worked and is used for general carpentry, food containers and for paper pulp[, , , , ]. The wood was traditionally used to make weapons and canoes[]

Propagation

The seed can be very slow to germinate, often taking 18 months or more. It is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Cuttings of short leading shoots, late summer in a frame[]. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. It side shoots are used as cuttings they will form prostrate plants[].