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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.
No
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.
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-10-12
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith