King Billy Pine
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King Billy Pine

Kill billy pine

Scientific Name

Athrotaxis selaginoides

Family Name

CUPRESSACEAE

Common Name

King Billy Pine

General Information

Height 40.0m (4000cm)
Flowers Inconspicuous
Fruit Cones
Form Tree, often stunted and twisted in high exposed places.
Municipalities Central Coast; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; Kentish; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast
Communities Montane Vegetation; Rainforest
Habitat Notes Tas. endemic. Found on valley slopes in high rainfall areas between 800 and 1400m often in association with Nothofagus cunninghamii. A shrub when extending into the alpine zones.
Site Tolerance Exposed; Moist; Shady; Windy
Frost Tolerance Hardy
Soil Tolerance Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained
General Notes Timber is valuable for joinery, cabinet work and boat-building. Has been grown for many years in the British Isles. It requires very well drained, moist soils with partial or full sun. May be very slow growing. Suitable for public and large domestic gardens, forests and roadsides. Not suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Flowering Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Seed Collecting Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sowing Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Cutting Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection Seed cones spherical, about 1.5cm in diameter at the ends of branchlets, on female plants. dry and sieve
Seed Treatment Method Cold
Seed Storage Life Short
Seed Treatment Notes May benefit from 6-8 weeks cold-moist stratification prior to germination. Seedling very prone to "damping off" unless stringent precautions are taken. Viability varies from year to year. Fresh seed is recommended.
Germination Time 1-2 months

Cuttings

Propagation By Division No
Cutting Notes Cuttings strike fairly readily. Use tip cuttings with or without "heels" and strike in a 2:1 mix of peat moss and sand. Late summer is best time to collect. Should strike more successfully if stored in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss in the refrigerator at or about 3-4oC for 6-8 weeks prior to setting out. Bottom heat and mist is beneficial or a plastic bag over the pot. Plants grow slowly and require adequate moisture. Also grows from layers.