Nothofagus menziesii
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| Silver beech | ||||||||||||||
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| Nothofagus menziesii (Hook.f.) Oerst. |
Nothofagus menziesii or Silver beech is a tree of the Nothofagus or southern beech genus endemic to New Zealand. Its common name probably comes from the fact that its bark is whitish in colour, particularly in younger specimens.[1] It is found from Thames southwards in the North Island (except Mount Egmont),[2] and throughout the South Island. Silver beech is a forest tree up to 30 m tall. The trunk, which is often buttressed, may be up to 2 m in diameter.[1].[3]The leaves are small, thick and almost round in shape, 6 to 15 mm long and 5 to 15 mm wide with rounded teeth which usually occur in pairs,[1] 1 or 2 hair fringed domatia are found on the underside of each leaf.[1][2]Its Māori name is Tāwhai. It grows from low altitudes to the mountains.
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[edit] Cultivation and uses
This is a very ornamental tree esteemed for its leaves and can be cultivated in regions with moist and cool climates. It does fine in Scotland[4][5] and the North Coast of the Pacific of the United States[6].
The wood is hard and is not durable outdoors and is used for furniture. The bark contains a black dye and tannin which is used for tanning leather.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ a b c d John Dawson and Rob Lucas "The Nature Guide to the New Zealand Forest", Godwit, 2000
- ^ a b H.H. Allan, "Flora of New Zealand,volume 1",Government Printer, 1961
- ^ J.T. Salmon, "A Field Guide to the Native Trees of New Zealand", Reed Methuen, 1986
- ^ Letter from Crarae Garden. A list Nothofagus species growing at Crarae Garden in Scotland.
- ^ Planted and required trees in the Gardens of The Grange, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- ^ Nothofagus menziesii in Washington Park Arboretum.
[edit] References
- Metcalf, Laurie, 2002. A Photographic Guide to Trees of New Zealand. Auckland: New Holland.
