Re: Huon Pine
- To: d*@ilsham.demon.co.uk
- Subject: Re: Huon Pine
- From: "* A* O* <s*@poboxes.com>
- Date: Tue, 04 May 1999 10:54:43 -0700
At 04:57 PM 5/4/99 GMT, you wrote:
>I have the opportunity of a 'Huon Pine' - Lagarostrobus franklinii.
>which so far as I know, is a Tasmanian native that was just on the
>verge of extinction. I can't find any info on it - anyone out there
>with more gen? Rarity and curiosity value aside, does it make a
>decent garden plant?
Dave -
A casual look around does not yield much information about the ornamental
aspects of this rare tree. Mention is mostly with relation to the fact
that the wood does not rot and that it is one of the oldest living things
on the face of the earth (second to Bristlecone Pines here in the US).
I did find this note from Heronswood Nursery's online catalog
(http://www.heronswood.com/):
Lagarostrobus franklinii Podocarpaceae Tasmania z7b
Rarely seen in cultivation, but has proven remarkably hardy for us in our
well-drained rock garden. Bright green, scale-like leaves on pendulous
branches, ultimately a large graceful shrub to small tree; ours seems quite
content in remaining under 2' in height after eight years. I delighted in
observing this species in the wilds of Tasmania in the autumn of '98.
Dan Hinkley (of Heronswood) seems to think it is a worthwhile plant to
grow, even if slow.
Regards,
Sean O.
