Common Name: Pohutukawa

General Information

Metrosideros excelsa is an evergreen tree, forming branches from near ground level and forming a wide-spreading crown; it can grow around 5 - 6 metres tall, exceptionally to 20 metres or more, but is seldom more than 1.5 metres in exposed situations[]. The crown on large trees can be 35 metres across[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its vibrant floral display.
Metrosideros excelsa is commonly grown as an ornamental in gardens and has escaped from cultivation in several areas, spreading by means of its seeds. It is considered to be invasive in some countries, including Japan, Spain and South Africa[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

New Zealand - North and Three Kings Islands

Habitat

Coastal forests[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Metrosideros excelsa is not a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating short-lived temperatures down to about -5°c[] and succeeding outdoors only in the mildest areas of the temperate zone, where it often only makes a small shrub[, ]. Plants grow very well on the Isles of Scilly, where they are cut back by cold perhaps once every twenty years. They usually sprout again from their thick branches[]. Young seedlings are especially frost tender[].
Prefers a well-drained but moisture-retentive lime-free soil in a sunny position[, ]. Plants are somewhat lime-tolerant but are unsuitable for shallow soils over chalk[]. Plants are very resistant to maritime exposure[, ].
Very ornamental[].
A good bee plant[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Some trees of this species are up to 1,000 years old[].

Edible Uses

An edible nectar, like a thin honey, is obtained from the flowers[, ]. It has at times been collected in large quantities[].

Medicinal

The inner bark is astringent[]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea[, , ].

The nectar has been used to treat sore throats[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be used as a hedge, succeeding in exposed maritime positions[, ].
The flowers are a good source of nectar for the bees. Honey produced from the nectar is especially white, and has a distinct flavour[].

Other Uses

The astringent bark is used as a dye and in tanning[].

The rich, deep red-brown wood is dense, compact, heavy, hard, durable, very strong. The wood invariably has a tortuous grain, and is very dense and hard to work, though it finishes very well. It is used for cabinet making, ship-making, bearings, machine beds etc[, , , ]. It is hard to find straight, millable trunks and the wood was traditionally used to make small items that needed to be hard and heavy, whilst the naturally curved shapes of the wood led to it being used extensively by the early colonial sailors for ships’ structural elbows and knees[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse and only just cover the seed. 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 two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[].