Trees "R"

Seasonal advice for Summer

The hectic activity of spring is beginning to subside, and other tasks are now due

Continue to keep weeds at bay. Any areas that have not yet received a generous application of mulch, should be attended to now. A balanced fertiliser can be applied now also, where appropriate

Water as and where appropriate. As a general rule newly planted trees will benefit from a good deep soaking every 3-4 weeks over summer (depending on rainfall and local watering restrictions)

Flowering shrubs can be dead-headed (removal of spent flowers) to promote further flowering -except where seed is required.

Keep a close eye on your potted plants. Water, feed, and mulch as required.

Continue to check for signs of pests and disease on all plants. Seek advice if detected.

Native of the Month

Macropiper excelsum "Kawakawa/Pepper Tree"

Kawakawa are a common sight around Wellington (a testament the city’s growing conditions), and feature amongst the landscape of some of our parks (e.g., Trelissick Park). A densely branched shrub, the Kawakawa can grow up to 6 meters tall although most examples will be around 2-3 meters. The leaves are a rounded shape almost like a heart – shiny green on top and very pale green underneath. There is a variegated version (Macropiper excelsum ‘Variegatum’), however these are less common. The Kawakawa is widely known to have medicinal properties, including the leaves and bark being used to treat cuts and stomach aches, and a pulp of the leaves can provide relief to joint pain. Burning the leaves near crops has also been used to deter pests. While the Kawakawa is a relatively hardy plant, it is frost tender and prefers to grow in a moist, rich, free-draining soil in the semi-shade. It thrives in most Wellington suburbs and makes a great addition to any existing garden, slotting nicely under the canopy of other trees or large shrubs. It is often found alongside Whitey wood (mahoe or Melicytus ramiflorus), and between the two they do a great job of retaining ground. The main pest it has to contend with is the looper moth which finds the leaves of the kawakawa quite tasty. At this time of year (Jan to March) they grow fruit that ripens from green and hard to orange and soft which is not only edible but uniquely tasty. Be careful of chewing to hard on too many of seeds however, they are the reason the tree is called "pepper tree".

Next month's native:

Cordyline australis (Ti kouka - Cabbage Tree)

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