Wood plant blog: Trees

Showing posts with label Trees. Show all posts

Leptospermum scoparium

Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as tea tree, or Manuka is an NZ native. It interestingly sits at the balance of scale, between being a shrub, or being a small tree. This tree is often noted for its similarity to Kanuka (Kunzea ericoides), key methods of telling the difference between the two plants, is that Kanuka often grows to around 12 meters high, while Manuka grows to around 3m high. Another differences is that the bark of Manuka is often marked with a black sooty looking mould, while the flowers are larger, with a red tinge and grow in a singular for, rather than the flower bunching that it seen on Kanuka trees. It is particularly hard to distinguish the two plants when they are in a juvenile form, the best way at this stage is that the feel of Manuka is much more brittle than that of Kanuka. Manuka is known for this small form, yet distinguishable hardiness, leading to it flourishing throughout all of New Zealand's coastal and alpine regions. The plant works within natural ecosystems, yet it's singular architectural form is notable through vague bonsai-tree values, this said it does not come across as being as cultivated as most bonsai forms.

Olearia paniculata

Commonly known as golden akeake or Akiraho, this is a unique NZ native, growing up to around six meters high. It is unique in that it has a distinctive flaky bark, combined with undulate leaves. The hight and leaf form of these small trees relate well to the undulate leaves of Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kohukohu) and Pittosporum eugenioides (lemonwood). A highly similar tree, as shown through its name (golden akeake), is Dodonaea viscose (akeake) which has a more elongated leaf, yet from afar the highly similar bark and undulated leaf make the trees work well in contrast through the small differences. This can also make a very interesting hedge form. This specific example was found in Akaroa, New Zealand.

Podocarpus totara 'Aurea'

Commonly known as the Golden Totara, this tree is native to the Port Hills of Canterbury, New Zealand. This evergreen tree makes a distinctive impression with it's large bushy scale, rich golden colouring and fine leaf structure often seen on Podocarpus species. This tree was found in Barrys Bay, in a naturally growing tree, yet this species can work well as hedging, and is easy to grow due as it is highly resilient to wind and cold.

Cordyline indivisa

Commonly known as the Broadleaf cabbage tree, this is a monocot tree endemic to New Zealand. Looks very similar to the Cordyline australis, this tends to grow to a much smaller height than Cordyline, and has the distinctive feature of branching out from ground level. This feature is much more visible when the tree is fully mature.

Aloe bainesii

Commonly known as tree aloe, when fully grown this plant opens out into a wide branched tree, with a shape similar to that of the Cordyline australis. Whether this will happen in New Zealand is unsure, but it will certainly take longer to mature than in its native homeland, South Africa. This specimen was pictured in Akaroa, New Zealand.

Cordyline australis

Commonly known as the Cabbage tree, it is highly distinctive with its wide spread branching, and monocot leaf clusters. Its highly dense trunk can be used for food, and was for many years by the Maori, who called it Te Kouka. As a form the tree provides a alternative form to the average New Zealand tree, and will grow all throughout New Zealand. Can be grown in the Northern hemisphere, and is found commonly as an ornamental tree in England.

Kunzea Ericoides

Commonly known as kanuka, white tea-tree or burgan, it has tall trunk with lollipop-like foliage at top. Trunk is covered in white flakey bark, and is very exposed with no foliage to cover except at top. Will often grow in groves within nature, yet the Kanuka pictured here in Akaroa is found in much larger groupings.