Pohutukawa Info - Growing New Zealand Christmas Trees

According to pohutukawa information, these striking trees grow to 30 to 35 feet (9-11 m.) tall and wide in mild climates. Native to New Zealand, they thrive in this country in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. These are handsome, showy trees that grow fast – up to 24 inches (60 cm.)

1. How is pohutukawa tree connected to Christmas?
2. How fast do pohutukawa trees grow?
3. Which tree is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree?
4. How long does it take to grow a Christmas tree NZ?
5. What does a pohutukawa symbolize?
6. Do pohutukawa trees flower every year?
7. How do you look after a pohutukawa tree?
8. What does a pohutukawa tree look like?
9. Are pohutukawa trees protected in Auckland?
10. What is New Zealand's national tree?
11. What trees are native to New Zealand?
12. Is the pohutukawa native to NZ?
13. When should Christmas trees be pruned?
14. How do you farm Christmas trees?
15. When should I plant my Christmas tree seedlings?

How is pohutukawa tree connected to Christmas?

The pohutukawa tree (Metrosideros excelsa) with its crimson flower has become an established part of the New Zealand Christmas tradition. ... Other 19th-century references described the pohutukawa tree as the 'Settlers Christmas tree' and 'Antipodean holly'.

How fast do pohutukawa trees grow?

In a very fertile environment with good moisture and plenty of room, young pohutukawa grow very quickly (at around 30cm per year in height and 5-10cm in diameter), often having quite a bushy form due to multi stems and vigorous lower stem growth, whereas older trees gain around 10cm in height a year and 2mm in diameter ...

Which tree is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree?

The blazing red flowers of pōhutukawa around Christmas time have earned this tree the title of New Zealand's Christmas tree. Pōhutukawa and rātā belong to the genus Metrosideros.

How long does it take to grow a Christmas tree NZ?

The common pinus radiata, or more commonly know as New Zealand's Christmas tree, takes three to four years to grow into the right size and shape and they are now on sale in Tauranga.

What does a pohutukawa symbolize?

The pohutukawa tree is a New Zealand icon with deep spiritual meaning for Māori, connecting the beginning and ending of human life. In Māori mythology, the red fiowers represent the blood of the warrior Tawhaki, a spirit ancestor who showed the way from earth to heaven but fell and died in doing so.

Do pohutukawa trees flower every year?

Yes, you will get flowers over months, but you only get a few flowers at any one time and the whole thing about the pohutukawa is that beautiful mass of bloom around Christmas.

How do you look after a pohutukawa tree?

Plant them in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Pruning and trimming can be done yearly after flowering. There are two known threats to the pohutukawa — one is the possum which eats the leaves, buds and flowers of trees and can easily kill the tree in a short time.

What does a pohutukawa tree look like?

Pohutukawa leaves can be from 3 – 10 cm long by 1.5 – 5 cm wide. The leaves tend to be larger than on the ratas. The most distinguishing characteristic is that the leaves have a white fuzzy underside. The top is shining green, but the bottom is whitish and is covered in tiny hairs.

Are pohutukawa trees protected in Auckland?

Pōhutukawa are native to New Zealand and in many parts of the country, they may be protected and therefore require special permission to remove – even to simply prune.

What is New Zealand's national tree?

The silver fern has been accepted as a symbol of New Zealand's national identity since the 1880s.

What trees are native to New Zealand?

Conservation Week | 10 Native New Zealand Trees You Should Know About

• Tōtara. One of the four guardians of the forest growing over 30m high – noticeable by it's flaky bark and small, long sharp tipped leaves. ...
• Rimu.
• Kauri.
• Kōwhai. ...
• Pūriri.
• Tī Kōuka (Cabbage Tree)
• Kawakawa.
• Mānuka/Kānuka (Kānuka Featured)

Is the pohutukawa native to NZ?

Pōhutukawa and rātā are known as New Zealand's native Christmas tree because of the bright red blooms which decorate the trees during the Christmas season. They trigger memories of long summer days spent with friends and family in, on, around and under these magnificent trees.

When should Christmas trees be pruned?

How to shape your Christmas trees correctly. Pruning and shaping of your Christmas trees must be performed outside of the growing season. Pruning is from January to March, and shaping is from January to March and again from September to October.

How do you farm Christmas trees?

How much income can Christmas tree farming produce? Most tree varieties are ready to harvest at the popular height of 5 to 7 feet in around eight years. Allowing for loading areas and access roads every 12-15 rows, you can plant about 1,500 trees per acre, using the standard 5′ x 5′ spacing.

When should I plant my Christmas tree seedlings?

Planting Season

Bare rooted seedlings and transplants must be planted during the dormant season. Weather and soil conditions conducive to planting occur in both early fall and late spring. The spring season is generally considered the best time to plant, especially if planting is to be done on heavy loam or clay soils.