How to Plant a New Zealand Christmas Tree
The New Zealand Christmas tree, also known as a common Pohutukawa, grows to heights of 25 to 30 feet, with a 25-foot spread. Native to New Zealand, this evergreen tree displays dark green foliage, which compliments the deep-red, 3-inch flowers that bloom in mid-summer. The strong, dark brown trunk of the common Pohutukawa can sustain prevailing winds and is resistant to pests and disease. The New Zealand Christmas tree plant prefers planting in the sunny, well-drained soils of USDA hardiness zones nine through 11. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Garden fork
- Soil testing kit
- Agricultural lime
- Gator bag
- Mulch
- Pruning saw or pruning shears
Instructions
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Prepare the soil before planting the New Zealand Christmas tree by breaking up large chunks of soil with a garden fork. Test the soil to determine its pH using a soil testing kit purchased from a garden center. The New Zealand Christmas tree prefers to grow in soil with a pH of at least 6.5 or above.
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Amend the soil if it does not meet the required pH. Add agricultural lime to the soil if the pH is below 6.5. Check the label on the lime packaging to determine allocation amounts.
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Dig a hole for the New Zealand Christmas tree twice the width of its root ball and just as deep. Remove the New Zealand Christmas tree from its container and set it in the center of the hole and backfill.
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Provide the New Zealand Christmas tree with at least 15 to 20 gallons of water per week for the first two years of growth. Supply the tree with 15 to 20 gallons of water twice a month during the third year and as needed in the years that follow. Use a gator bag to water the tree. A gator bag holds between 15 and 20 gallons of water, providing the perfect amount of water for your tree.
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Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch under the canopy of the New Zealand Christmas tree. Straw, pine needles or bark chips will help with water retention and also reduce weed growth under the tree.
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Tips & Warnings
Prune dead or damaged branches from the New Zealand Christmas tree in the winter, using a pruning saw or pruning shears. Pruning will encourage new growth in the spring.
Purchase a gator bag from a garden center. When attached to the tree, the gator bag will drip water down to the roots of the New Zealand Christmas tree for approximately 15 to 20 hours.
Do not allow the soil to dry out in between watering. Maintain moist soil at all times and do not skip waterings. Inadequate water amounts can eventually kill the tree.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit New Zealand Beach image by sun_orbiter from Fotolia.com
