Communities

Scientific Name

Athrotaxis selaginoides

Family Name

CUPRESSACEAE

Common Name

King Billy Pine

Status

Height

40.0m (4000cm)

Flowers

Inconspicuous

Fruit

Cones

Form

Tree, often stunted and twisted in high exposed places.

Municipalities

Central Coast; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; Kentish; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast

Communities

Montane Vegetation; Rainforest

Habitat Notes

Tas. endemic. Found on valley slopes in high rainfall areas between 800 and 1400m often in association with Nothofagus cunninghamii. A shrub when extending into the alpine zones.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Shady; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained

General Notes

Timber is valuable for joinery, cabinet work and boat-building. Has been grown for many years in the British Isles. It requires very well drained, moist soils with partial or full sun. May be very slow growing. Suitable for public and large domestic gardens, forests and roadsides. Not suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seed cones spherical, about 1.5cm in diameter at the ends of branchlets, on female plants. dry and sieve

Seed Treatment Method

Cold

Seed Storage Life

Short

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

May benefit from 6-8 weeks cold-moist stratification prior to germination. Seedling very prone to "damping off" unless stringent precautions are taken. Viability varies from year to year. Fresh seed is recommended.

Germination Time

1-2 months

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes

Cuttings strike fairly readily. Use tip cuttings with or without "heels" and strike in a 2:1 mix of peat moss and sand. Late summer is best time to collect. Should strike more successfully if stored in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss in the refrigerator at or about 3-4oC for 6-8 weeks prior to setting out. Bottom heat and mist is beneficial or a plastic bag over the pot. Plants grow slowly and require adequate moisture. Also grows from layers.