Podocarpus totara (tōtara) is a classic New Zealand native evergreen tree with sharp, olive-green needle-like leaves, reddish-brown bark, and bright red berry-like fruit on female trees in autumn, growing slowly into a broad, spreading form up to 20 metres tall, and valued for its durable timber and versatility across a wide range of conditions, from lowland to montane forests, where it thrives in full sun and well-drained soils while tolerating frost, drought, wind, and coastal environments.
Podocarpus totara
From $7.50Sale Price
Botanical Name Podocarpus Totara Maori Name tōtara Common Name Totara Family Podocarpaceae Type Tree Origin Endemic to New Zealand — widespread throughout both the North and South Islands Mature Height 20m (30-60cm per year) Mature Spread 10m Sun Requirements Full sun Soil Grows best in well-drained sandy, loamy, or gravelly soils, but tolerates poorer or moderately heavy soils if not waterlogged Flowering female trees have bright red, berry-like fruit in autumn Wind Tolerance Wind tolerant Frost Tolerance Frost tender when young
Drought Tolerance Good — tolerates drought and dry soils Growth Rate Slow Maintenance Very low Conservation Status Not Threatened
