Description
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, commonly known as kahikatea, is New Zealand’s tallest native tree, reaching up to 66 meters in height. This long-lived conifer thrives in lowland swamp forests, featuring a straight trunk with buttressed roots and fine, scale-like leaves that change from bronze to green as the tree matures. In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous cones, which develop into bright red, fleshy fruit that attract native birds like kererū. Dacrycarpus dacrydioides was historically prized for its lightweight timber, used in butter and cheese boxes. Today, it plays a crucial role in wetland restoration and forest ecosystems.
