Plant a New Zealand Christmas tree in the cool season, at the old soil line, with room for a thirty-foot tree. Fall through early spring is the usual window on a frost-free coast.
Plant in the cool season, at the old soil line, with room for a thirty-foot tree
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Fall through early spring on a frost-free coast; after the last hard frost where freezes hit | Do not plant into midsummer heat with a dry root ball |
| Hole | Twice as wide as the root ball, the same depth as the nursery soil line | Do not bury the trunk or set the plant in a deep, wet pit |
| Clay | Raise the root ball slightly so water runs off | Do not drop it into a clay sump |
| Room | Leave space for a 30-foot tree, off pipes, paths, and the house wall | Do not plant a specimen at annual-hedge spacing |
| Stake | Stake a young tree in wind for the first year, then remove the ties | Do not leave a tight tie on the trunk |
New Zealand Christmas tree goes in the ground in the cool months so the roots can move before summer. On a frost-free coast that is fall through early spring. Where a hard freeze is likely, wait until after the last frost. [1] Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and no deeper than the nursery soil line. Set the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Do not put fertilizer in the bottom of the hole. [2] On heavy clay, set the root ball a little high so water runs off. Full sun and a draining coastal site are the usual match. [3] Water it in, then follow the first-summer calendar on How to Grow New Zealand Christmas Tree. [4]
- Choose a full-sun site with room for a thirty-foot crown, away from pipes and the house wall.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth as the nursery soil line. On clay, leave the root ball slightly high.
- Slide the tree out of the pot, tease circling roots, and set it so the old soil line matches the surrounding grade.
- Backfill with the native soil. Do not dump fertilizer in the hole. Firm gently and water until the backfill settles.
- Mulch a ring kept off the trunk. Stake a young tree in wind for the first year, then take the ties off.
When do I plant a New Zealand Christmas tree?
In the cool season. Fall through early spring on a frost-free coast. After the last hard frost where freezes hit.
If the trunk is buried or the hole holds water, reset the next plant at the old soil line on a slight mound.
FAQ
How far from the house should I plant?
Give a specimen room to become a thirty-foot tree. Keep it off pipes, paths, and the foundation. A clipped screen still needs several feet between plants, not a tight annual spacing.
Should I plant a large boxed tree?
A smaller container tree establishes more easily in wind. Stake it for the first year if the site is exposed.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Kings Plant Barn -
https://www.kings.co.nz/growing-guides/metrosideros - [2] The Plant Company -
https://www.theplantcompany.co.nz/expert-advice/pohutukawa-rata-guides - [3] San Marcos Growers -
https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=1058 - [4] Useful Temperate Plants -
https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Metrosideros+excelsa
This note is part of Metrosideros Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors