Alnus glutinosa
European or black alder Ht 20-25m
Broadly conical, deciduous. Vigorous growth and good form. Habitat beside rivers and will grow in very wet places. Tolerates salt winds better than the other alders. Good firewood crop to utilise wet ground. Timber durable under water.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Alnus cordata
Italian alder Ht 25-30m
Corsica, central and S. Italy. Broadly conical, deciduous, fast growing, roots penetrate deeply. Popular for horticultural shelterbelts, trims well into a narrow tall hedge. Sheds some leaves in drought conditions. Used as a nurse crop with oak and redwood providing mycorrhiza, nitrogen and side shade to reduce epicormic regrowth on pruned final crop trees.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Tolerates pumice soils
Griselinia littoralis (OG grown)
Kapuka or Broadleaf Ht 5-15m
Broadly spreading, evergreen. Common throughout NZ. Long lived. Tolerates salt laden winds. A good screening plant with its glossy green leaves. Palatable to stock and possums.
Cold hardy form from the Lewis Pass.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Shrub
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive to birds
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Hedging
Phormium cookianum ssp. cookianum
Wharariki or Mountain flax Ht 0.6m
Stiffly erect, evergreen leaves with a dark brown stripe on the edge. Very hardy, naturally growing in subalpine areas. Flowers attract birds and bees Suitable for small gardens and low cover on exposed sites.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
Fraxinus ornus
Flowering ash Ht 5-8m
Manna ash - from south Europe and southwest Asia. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Bark is dark grey remaining smooth. Leaves with 5-9 broad ovoid leaflets, autumn colours yellow or purple. Conspicuous clusters of small fragrant white flowers, insect pollinated, developing into bunches of slender samaras. Sap produces a sugary extract 'manna'. Very drought tolerant and used as a street tree.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
Acer pseudoplatanus purpureum
Sycamore (purple under leaf) Ht 25-30m
Broadly columnar, deciduous. Vigorous grower. Similar in all characteristics to the green leaf form. The purple colour under the leaf adds variety. White hardwood joinery timber.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Timber
- Firewood
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore Ht 25-30m
Europe and south west Asia. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Vigorous grower. Tolerates harsh conditions. Can seed prolifically and provide fodder for grazing animals. In Central Otago it gives good yellow autumn colour.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Timber
- Firewood
- Tolerates limestone soils
Alnus rubra
Oregon or red alder Ht 25-30m
West North America. Broadly conical deciduous. Vigorous growth on hillsides as well as stream sides. Produces good hardwood timber for furniture and panelling. Planted for shelter. Red winter buds identify this alder.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Laurus nobilis (PLUG grown)
Bay tree or bay laurel Ht 10-15m
Mediterranean. Broadly conical, evergreen. Dark green leaves aromatic when crushed, used in cooking. Forms a dense screen, clips well as a hedge. spacing 500-700mm. Thrives in coastal areas.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Container Grown
- Hedging
- Tolerates limestone soils
Cupressus torulosa (Green form) (POT grown)
Himalayan cypress (Green form) Ht 25-30m
Himalayan Mountains to W. Szechuan. Broadly conical, evergreen. Dark green foliage. Drought tolerant and canker resistant. Good quality timber.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Large tree
- Evergreen
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Timber
- Shelter
- Container Grown
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