CUPRESSACEAE

King Billy Pine

 

40.0m (4000cm) 

Inconspicuous 

Cones 

Tree, often stunted and twisted in high exposed places. 

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

Montane Vegetation; Rainforest 

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. 

Exposed; Moist; Shady; Windy 

Hardy 

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained 

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. 

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

Cold 

Short 

 

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. 

1-2 months 

 

 

 

No 

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.