{"product_id":"metrosideros-tomentosa-new-zealand-christmas-tree-pohutukawa","title":"Metrosideros tomentosa – New Zealand Christmas Tree \/ Pohutukawa","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMetrosideros tomentosa\u003c\/em\u003e, sold everywhere as the New Zealand Christmas Tree or Pohutukawa, is now more correctly named \u003cem\u003eMetrosideros excelsa\u003c\/em\u003e. It is a broad, spreading evergreen with leathery grey-green leaves, gnarled sculptural limbs and masses of crimson brush-like flowers through summer, which are the reason most people plant it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive it full sun and free-draining soil. It handles salt spray, wind and dry coastal ground once established, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year to 6 to 10 metres tall and 6 to 8 metres wide. It is frost sensitive, so choose a frost-free or sheltered position in cooler districts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt suits coastal gardens, beachside streetscapes, civic plantings and large courtyards where shade and summer colour are wanted. Space feature trees 3 to 4 metres apart, or 3 metres for an avenue. For exposed seaside sites in warm temperate and subtropical Australia, few broadleaf trees are this reliable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin:44px 0 16px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14px;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:1.5px;margin:0 0 8px;padding-top:32px;border-top:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);text-transform:uppercase;color:currentColor;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 24px;color:currentColor;opacity:0.65;font-size:14px;font-style:italic;\"\u003eAbout Pohutukawa\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhat is a Pohutukawa?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eMetrosideros tomentosa, also listed as Metrosideros excelsa, is an evergreen tree from coastal New Zealand, grown here for its bright crimson summer flowers and broad spreading canopy. The leaves are leathery and grey-green, and older trees develop a heavy, characterful trunk. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, the same group as eucalypts and bottlebrushes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow big does a Pohutukawa grow?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eIn Australian gardens it typically reaches 6 to 10 metres tall and 6 to 8 metres wide, forming a rounded, spreading canopy that casts useful shade. Trees in exposed coastal positions stay shorter and broader, while sheltered inland specimens grow taller. Allow for the full width when siting it near paths, fences or buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhen does it flower?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eFlowering is in summer, mostly December through January, which is where the New Zealand Christmas Tree name comes from. The flowers are crimson-red brushes made up of fine stamens, held in dense clusters across the outer canopy. They are heavily worked by nectar-feeding birds and bees, and are followed by small seed capsules.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eIs it frost tolerant?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eNo. Pohutukawa is frost sensitive and young trees can be damaged by even moderate frost. Plant it in frost-free coastal and warm temperate districts, or choose a protected northern aspect with overhead shelter in areas that get occasional light frost. In cold inland gardens it is not a reliable long-term choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eIs it suitable for coastal positions?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eYes, it is one of the better trees for hard coastal conditions. It tolerates salt-laden wind, sandy soil and periods of drought once the root system is established, and it will grow in front-line positions where many trees burn off. Good drainage matters more to it than soil fertility.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eGrowth is moderate, around 30 to 60 centimetres a year in a warm position with reasonable moisture. Trees put on most of their height in the first ten years, then broaden out. Water regularly through the first two summers to get the root system down, after which growth continues with little input.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow do I care for a Pohutukawa?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eWater deeply through the first two summers, then only in extended dry spells. Feed in early spring with a general slow-release fertiliser. Pruning is optional and best done after flowering, lifting the lower limbs to expose the trunk or thinning the canopy. Keep mulch clear of the trunk and avoid heavy, wet soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Evergreen Trees Direct","offers":[{"title":"100L","offer_id":45641097838791,"sku":"METTOM100L","price":650.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.evergreentrees.com.au\/products\/metrosideros-tomentosa-new-zealand-christmas-tree-pohutukawa","provider":"Evergreen Trees Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}