Dacrydium cupressinum

Botanical Description

Dacrydium cupressinum is an evergreen tree with a crown that is pyramidal when young, becoming round-topped with strong lateral branches as it matures; it can grow 20 - 35 metres tall, occasionally reaching 55 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 150cm or more in diameter on mature trees[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. Rimu used to be one of the major timber trees of New Zealand, but is at present (2017) the wild stock is protected from exploitation. Traditionally, the tree was also harvested from the wild as a source of food and materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental. This species, and its main forest type, has undergone a significant decline over the last several centuries. However, the majority of this decline pre-dates the period of this assessment. In the absence of any current or ongoing decline the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].