Pigeonwood is a small native tree that thrives in lowland forests of both North and South Islands. A great small evergreen tree that produces bright red berries that are eaten by the Kereru.

Small evergreen tree found in wetter areas throughout NZ most frequently at higher, cooler altitudes and in frosty valleys. Leaves are long soft, parallel-sided with many small marginal teeth. Bark is smooth and light brown. Flowers are small in clusters most abundant on woody twigs below the leaves, yellow for female, purple for males on separate trees, flowering mid-winter to early summer. Fruits 4-6mm dark purple late winter to late summer.

Broadly conical, evergreen. Shiny, yellowy-green leaves 10-15cm lemon scented when crushed. Terminal clusters of sweetly-scented cream flowers. Good shelter and screening tree, found throughout NZ except in the cold, dry areas.

The Mount Cook Totara is a splendid form of the much loved native. With a wonderful tight and conical habit, its great for either formal plantings or hedging.