Plagianthus regius (PLUG grown)
Manatu or Ribbonwood Ht 10-15m
Narrowly conical initially then broadly spreading, deciduous. Small juvenile leaves and vigorous narrow erect habit make it ideal as a nurse tree for more tender plants. NZ wide except the driest coldest parts.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Small Tree
- NZ native
- Deciduous
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Container Grown
Platanus orientalis
Oriental plane Ht 25-30m
S E Europe to Asia Minor. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Trunk often continuous right through the crown. Bark flakes in plates. Leaves 10-20cm, more incised than P. x acerifolia. Popular avenue tree. Timber used for interior finishing and furniture. SEED grown.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
Platanus x acerifolia(syn P. x hispanica)
London plane Ht 30-35m
N America. A hybrid of P. orientalis x P. occidentalis. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Trunk often continuous right through the crown. Bark flakes in large plates. Leaves up to 25cm across. Withstands city pollution. Good furniture timber.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
Parrotia persica
Persian ironwood Ht 6-15m
Broadly spreading, deciduous. Exfoliating bark similar to the London Plane. Small flowers with red stamens on the bare branches in winter. Leaves sometimes edged with purple that turn yellow, orange or red in autumn. Tolerates dry sites.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Nyssa sylvatica (POT grown)
Tupelo Ht 20-25m
E Nth America. Broadly conical, deciduous. Excellent orange & red autumn colours. Grows in swampy and dry hill sites. Wood is heavy, soft, strong, very tough, not durable. Special prized honey producer.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - red
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Container Grown
Nyssa sylvatica v. biflora (POT grown)
Twin flowered tupelo Ht 8-10m
S E USA. Broadly conical, deciduous. Small slender trunked tree suited to confined spaces. Prefers moist sites and grows less vigorously on dry sites. Early autumn colour bright red. Special prized honey producer.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - red
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Container Grown
Nyssa sinensis (PLUG grown)
Chinese tupelo Ht 12-15m
Broadly conical, deciduous. Leaves orange and red in autumn. Needs moist fertile site. Very rare in NZ. Worth a try.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Container Grown
Morus nigra
Black mulberry Ht 5-8m
Orient, cultivated for centuries. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Edible fruits, sweetly aromatic, deep red. Adult leaves dark green and rough on upper surface.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Edible fruits and seeds
- Tolerates limestone soils
Morus alba
White mulberry Ht 5-8m
China. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Light green leaves brighten up a brown drought-hit landscape. Fruits, small white turning red, edible but bland, loved by birds. Tolerates dry conditions. Silkworms are raised on the leaves in China.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Edible fruits and seeds
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Dawn redwood Ht 30-40m
China. Conical, deciduous. Long fossil history. Found growing in NW Hupeh in 1941. New seed import brings wider genetic base to NZ. Cypress-like timber is light, strong and durable. Prefers damp sites, deep rooted shade tree for streamsides.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - brown
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Timber
- Erosion control
- Forestry species
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