CUPRESSACEAE

Cheshunt pine

 

usually 1.5m - 2.5m (150-250cm) 

 

Cones 

Grey-green shrub, branches curving downwards at the ends. Branchlets with foliage appear square in cross section. 

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

Montane Vegetation; Rainforest 

Tas. endemic. Found mainly in the central and western mountains but also occurring on unburnt sections of the Central Plateau and as a small tree in rainforest to 6m. 

Exposed; Moist; Shady; Windy 

Hardy 

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Well-drained 

Withstands frost and snow and does best in moist, well drained soils in a cool location. Appreciates summer watering. Relatively slow growing and has been in cultivation for many years. Suitable below powerlines. 

Male and female cones on separate plants. female have 2 pairs of scales, only upper pair fertile. ripe seeds, 2 per cone, longer than scales which become hard and brownish- purple in colour. difficult to collect as seed is shed rapidly 

Standard 

Short 

 

May be grown from seed. Use fresh seed. Viability varies from year to year. 

 

 

3-5 months 

 

No 

Cuttings strike fairly readily. Use firm but vigorous 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 from layer.