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Nothofagaceae FAMILY

Nothofagus cunninghamii

Nothofagus cunninghamii

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Tree
GrowthFast

Nothofagus cunninghamii is native to the warm temperate zone of southeastern Australia. It is found at elevations from sea level to 1,200 metres, growing in regions where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 1,000 - 1,500mm. It is known to tolerate occasional temperatures falling as low as -7°c in Australian gardens, so long as its wood has been ripened by summer heat[1, 2]. They succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain - young plants at Crarae in western Scotland in 1992 appear to be very hardy and robust[3]. Some specimens in the milder regions of the UK have exceeded 15 metres in height[4]. Prefers an open well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[5, 6]. This is a slow-growing species that requires cool, shady, moist conditions and well-drained, fertile soils. Although it prefers shady conditions, it can tolerate full sun[2]. Succeeds on most soils but dislikes calcareous soils[5, 6]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 7 but dislikes acid peats[6]. Plants in the wild vary in size from shrubs to very big trees according to rainfall and altitude[4]. They often produce adventitious shoots[7]. Trees produce heavy seed crops in every second or third year[2]. Trees can live for around 500 years[2]. Trees are killed in all but the less severe forest fires[2]. Species in this genus often have poor wind resistance in cultivation, probably because they grow so fast[4]. Another report says that this species is slow growing in cultivation[1]. Trees up to 4 metres tall can be successfully established, though the optimum size for transplanting is about 30 - 80cm. The roots are very sensitive to desiccation and extreme care should be taken when transplanting them[6]. Another report says that the tree transplants badly[8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].

Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cool greenhouse or cold frame, when it will generally germinate in about 6 - 8 weeks[2]. Spring-sown seed requires 2 - 3 months stratification at 1 - 5°c[6]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed must not be allowed to dry out according to one report[9] whilst another says that the seed can be stored dry at 2°c for long periods[6]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[10]. Layering. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Nothofagus+cunninghamii>

Pollinators

Wind

References

  1. [1]Australian Native Plants. — Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. · Collins. (Australia) · 1988 · ISBN 0-7322-0021-0 ↩︎A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.
  2. [2]Nothofagus cunninghamii Notesheet — http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/ ↩︎A factsheet produced by the
  3. [3]Letter from Crarae Garden, March 1993. — - · 1993 · ISBN - ↩︎A list Nothofagus species growing at Crarae Garden in Scotland.
  4. [4]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
  5. [5]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
  6. [6]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  7. [7]Flora of Australia — http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/ ↩︎The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.
  8. [8]Flora of Victoria. — Ewart. A. J. · University Press; Melbourne · 1930 ↩︎A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
  9. [9]Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. — McMillan-Browse. P. · Grower Books · 1985 · ISBN 0-901361-21-6 ↩︎Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.
  10. [10]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
  11. [11]Australian Native Plants Society — http://anpsa.org.au/index.html ↩︎A series of fact sheets on Australian plants. Good photographs, brief description and information on uses, habitat, range, cultivation etc.
  12. [12]Useful Wild Plants in Australia. — Cribb. A. B. and J. W. · William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney · 1981 · ISBN 0-00-216441-8 ↩︎A very readable book.
  13. [13]A Field Guide to Australian Trees. — Holliday. I. and Hill. R. · Frederick Muller Ltd. · 1974 · ISBN 0-85179-627-3 ↩︎A well illustrated and very readable book, but it does not contain much information for the plant project.