About

Halocarpus bidwillii, commonly known as the mountain pine or bog pine, is a species of dioecious conifer in the family Podocarpaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North and South Islands.

It is a shrub favouring both bogs and dry stony ground, seldom growing to more than 3.5 m (11 ft) high. The leaves are scale-like on adult plants, 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long, arranged spirally on the shoots; young seedlings and occasional shoots on older plants have soft strap-like leaves 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) and 1–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) broad. The seed cones are highly modified, berry-like, with a white aril surrounding the single 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long seed.

Where it grows

Halocarpus bidwillii is endemic to New Zealand and grow from Coromandel to the extreme south; as the latitude increases, they are found at lower altitudes. In the North Island, it can be found in Taupō county near Rotoaira and in the central volcanic plateau and Kaingaroa plains. In the South Island, as the name implies, mountain pine are common in mountainous regions in Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago, with some plants found as high as 4,500 ft (1,400 m) above sea level in the Canterbury alps. Mountain pine can also be found on Stewart Island directly at sea level.

Uses

When Kirk first described the mountain pine, he declared it to be of "little economic value" except perhaps for firewood. Perhaps he was unaware at the time, but Kirk should've specified that mountain pine could only be used for firewood without its bark. Mountain pine is one of the few New Zealand conifers that is able to resist fire, mostly because of its thick bark, but also because of its ability to recover through basal resprouting after a fire event. Other uses of the raw wood include timber production for use in buildings and railway sleepers.

Other Halocarpus plants

Alpine Tarwood · Kirk's Pine · Halocarpus