Can you cut pohutukawa?

Can you cut pohutukawa?

Undertake any work when the tree is most dormant – i.e. mid winter. However, reducing the size of a pohutukawa is not easy. If you cut large branches back you will precipitate epicormic growth back along the remaining branch which thickens up the within tree foliage.

Are all pohutukawa trees protected?

Currently, there are several species of trees that are protected in Auckland, which include the puriri, Norfolk pine, kauri, totara and pohutukawa. The pohutukawa (also known as the New Zealand Christmas Tree, or Metrosideros excelsa), is a coastal tree that belongs in the myrtle family.

Can you keep pohutukawa trees small?

In the garden However, because they respond well to pruning and trimming, pohutukawa are easily adapted to small spaces. They are fantastic as shelter hedging, or can trimmed as tidy silhouettes in a mixed planting. With annual trimming they can even be restrained in a large tub.

Can you cut down a Kōwhai tree?

Hi Colleen, yes you can trim the tree back. If it is planted in an exposed position the tops may have been wind burnt, or, it could be the Kowhai moth caterpillar that has stripped the foliage, they are active from spring through to autumn.

How big does a pohutukawa tree get?

20m high
Mainland pohutukawa grows to 20m high with up to a 35m wide crown. The massive spreading crown; wider than tall, moulds to coastal wind and slope and spreads weight over unstable ground.

Is it illegal to cut down cabbage trees in NZ?

Department of Conservation principal policy analyst Paula Warren says there is no statute giving legal protection for cabbage trees in New Zealand, despite popular perceptions. Regional authority Environment Canterbury also states on its website “cabbage trees are not a protected plant therefore they can be cut down”.

How can you tell the difference between rata and pohutukawa?

Note that the southern rata has dark green pointed leaves and that pohutukawa has shorter rounded leaves that have a whitish velvety texture on the underside. Pohutukawa tends also to have more stamens and as a result denser and more prolific flowers.

How and when do I prune my pohutukawa?

How and when do I prune my pohutukawa? Undertake any work when the tree is most dormant – i.e. mid winter. However, reducing the size of a pohutukawa is not easy. If you cut large branches back you will precipitate epicormic growth back along the remaining branch which thickens up the within tree foliage.

What kind of tree is a pohutukawa tree?

Pōhutukawa trees belong to the myrtle (Myrtaceae) family, which also includes the eucalyptus, feijoa, guava, bottlebrush and its close cousin the rātā. Rātā looks very similar to the pōhutukawa but are more likely to grow in the South Island where it’s colder, while pōhutukawa like the warm, moist climate of the north.

What’s the best way to shape a pohutukawa?

In shaping pohutukawa we aim to retain the umbrella shaped outer canopy while lifting the crown and creating a view beneath it. You end up looking through the stems beneath the crown, so you don’t want epicormic growth.

Is it legal to cut down trees on neighbour’s property?

Legally you can cut overhanging branches and roots of trees on your neighbour’s property back to the boundary (this is called ‘abatement’), however, the same rules from above apply if those trees are native. When dealing with troublesome trees on your property, always ask for professional advice.