Conifers
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (PLUG grown)
Kahikatea Ht 30-40m
Large tree / NZ native / Evergreen / Resistant to salt spray / Tolerates wet sites / Attractive to birds / Attractive berries fruits or cone / Edible fruits and seeds / Timber / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
NZ white pine. Narrowly conical for many years, evergreen. Will tolerate very wet sites and grows in drier sites with good grass control. Tolerates shade but does best with blue sky above. Shade the trunk with shrubs to prevent sun scorch.
Pinus cembroides (PLUG grown)
Mexican pinyon or nut pine Ht 15-20m
Small Tree / Evergreen / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Edible fruits and seeds / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Throughout much of Mexico at 1600-2400m in low rainfall 380-640mm areas. Needles in 2 &3's, Cones globose, 10cm with 15-18 fertile scales with almost wingless seeds 10mm long. Jays and squirrels take the seeds, bury some for winter use, and some survive to grow into trees. People harvest the seed for roasting and eating.
Pinus coulteri (PLUG grown)
Big cone pine Ht 25-30m
Medium tree / Evergreen / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Attractive berries fruits or cone / Edible fruits and seeds / Timber / Shelter / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
S California & N Mexico. Broadly conical, evergreen. Stout shoots, needles in 3's 15-30cm long, stiff and curved, pale blueish-grey-green. Cones very large 25-35cm long. Tolerates dry sites.
Pinus pinea (PLUG grown)
Mediterranean stone pine Ht 15-25m
Medium tree / Evergreen / Resistant to salt spray / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Attractive berries fruits or cone / Edible fruits and seeds / Container Grown / Tolerates pumice soils / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Broadly conical when young, develops a broadly arched umbrella shaped evergreen crown. Cones globose, ripen in 3rd year. Large seeds edible. Suited to dry and coastal conditions. Tolerates heat & cold.