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Common Name: Tanekaha

General Information

Phyllocladus trichomanoides is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 8.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

New Zealand.

Habitat

Lowland forests on North and South Islands, south to latitude 42°s[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a good loamy soil containing leaf mold[]. Succeeds in a good open soil but if it is to thrive it needs copious rainfall, high humidity and warmer conditions than are normally found in Britain[, ].
Plants are not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[]. They succeed outdoors in the mildest areas in the south and west of the country[]. They are hardy in Cornwall, southern Ireland etc[], where they succeed in woodland gardens[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Astringent[].

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the bark[, , , ]. It is orange-yellow[].
The bark is astringent, it is a very rich source of tannin[, , , ].
Wood - very strong, dense, heavy. Used for mine props, sleepers etc[, ]. A much valued timber in New Zealand[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame. 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.
Cuttings in a sandy soil in a cool or slightly warm frame in spring.