Podocarpus elatus
plum pine
Overview
Podocarpus elatus is an evergreen coniferous tree commonly reaching 26-40 feet (8-12 m) in cultivation and up to 100 feet (30 m) in rainforest, with a dense, dark green crown. The leaves are narrow, leathery, and lance-shaped, 1.6-6 inches (4-15 cm) long on young plants and shorter on mature growth, arranged spirally along the stems. Male and female cones are borne on separate trees. Female trees produce a swollen, fleshy black-purple stalk (receptacle) 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) long carrying a single round seed at the tip, and the fleshy part is edible. The bark is brown and fibrous, peeling in strips. Growth is slow to moderate, often 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) per year. The tree casts dense shade and develops a deep root system. It tolerates clipping, which is why it is grown as a hedge as well as a shade tree. Fruiting is limited to female trees and does not begin until plants are several years old.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from southeastern New South Wales north to central Queensland. It grows in subtropical, warm-temperate, and dry rainforest and along riverbanks, from near sea level to 3,300 feet (1,000 m).Suggested Uses
Grown as a shade tree, a clipped hedge, and a screen at 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m) spacing depending on use. The dense crown suits windbreaks in frost-free areas. The fleshy fruit of female trees is used in jams and sauces. Early growth is slow, so it establishes over several years rather than as a quick screen.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height26' - 40'
Width/Spread13' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
As a conifer it produces cones rather than flowers, with pollen released from male trees in spring, August through October in the native range. Female trees ripen their fleshy black fruit from late summer into autumn. Seed set depends on male and female trees growing within wind range of each other.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
It grows in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Water regularly through the first two seasons; established trees tolerate short dry spells but grow faster with steady moisture. It tolerates light frost to about 27°F (-3°C) once established and grows in warm coastal and subtropical climates. Few pests or diseases affect it. It withstands repeated clipping, regrowing from cut stems.Pruning
Trim in spring or summer to shape as a hedge or to lift the lower canopy of a shade tree. The tree tolerates hard pruning and regrows from old wood. Unpruned trees develop a broad, dense crown over many years.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons