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Conifers

Athrotaxis laxifolia

summit cedar

Grows fairly slowly to 15m or more, the slender shoots clothed in ovate leaves to 6mm long; cones to 2.5cm long when mature

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

more than 50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Athrotaxis are evergreen conifers with reddish-brown, stringy bark and small, scale-like leaves arranged spirally on the shoots; small green cones ripen in the second year to dull orange
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Tasmania

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich slightly acid soil in full sun, with shelter from cold winds. Thrives in areas with cool, humid summers

Propagation

Propagate by seed in container or cold frame in late winter or early spring; root semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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