Scientific Name: Athrotaxis selaginoides Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: king billy pine

Family Classification (Clade): Gymnosperms

Family: Cupressaceae

Form Description: Tree, often stunted and twisted in high exposed places.

Height (m): 15 – 40

Flowers: Inconspicuous

Fruit: Cone – spherical, about 1.5cm in diameter at the ends of branchlets, on female plants.

Municipality
Central CoastCentral HighlandsDerwent ValleyHuon ValleyKentishMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationRainforest
Habitat Notes

Found on valley slopes in high rainfall areas between 800 and 1400m often in association with Nothofagus cunninghamii. A shrub when extending into the alpine zones.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Shady, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Requires very well drained, moist soils with partial or full sun. May be very slow growing. Suitable for public and large domestic gardens and forests. Timber is valuable for joinery, cabinet work and boat-building. Has been grown for many years in the British Isles.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Dry and sieve.

Seed Treatment Method

Cold Some species require exposure to cold before they germinate. These species are best sown in early winter and left to germinate in a shade house.

Seed Storage Life

Short

Seed Treatment Notes

May benefit from 6-8 weeks cold-moist stratification prior to germination. Seedling very prone to “damping off” unless stringent precautions are taken. Viability varies from year to year. Fresh seed is recommended.

Germination Time

1-2 months

Cutting & Division Information

Cuttings strike fairly readily. Use tip cuttings with or without “heels” and strike in a 2:1 mix of peat moss and sand. Late summer is best time to collect cuttings. Should strike more successfully if stored in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss in the refrigerator at or about 3-4°C for 6-8 weeks prior to setting out. Bottom heat and mist is beneficial or a plastic bag over the pot. Plants grow slowly and require adequate moisture. Also grows from layers.