Changes

|Max wd box=30

|Max wd box=30

|Max wd metric=m

|Max wd metric=m

|origin=Mid and northern North Island, New Zealand

|origin=Mid & N North Island, New Zealand

|lifespan=perennial

|lifespan=perennial

|exposure=sun, part-sun

|exposure=sun, part-sun

|water=moist

|water=moist, moderate, dry

|features=evergreen, flowers, birds, wildlife, hummingbirds

|features=evergreen, flowers, birds, wildlife, bees, hummingbirds, drought tolerant

|flower_season=late spring, early summer, mid summer

|flower_season=late spring, early summer, mid summer

|flowers=red, yellow, pink

|flowers=red, yellow, pink

|image_caption=A Pohutukawa on the shore front at Akaroa, New Zealand

|image_caption=A Pohutukawa on the shore front at Akaroa, New Zealand

}}

}}

The Pohutukawa (M. excelsa), is an evergreen tree native to mid to northern coastal regions of the North Island of New Zealand. It is also known as the New Zealand Christmas Tree due to the fact that its peak flowering season is mid to late December.

The Pohutukawa (''M. excelsa''), is an evergreen tree native to mid to northern coastal regions of the North Island of New Zealand. It is also known as the New Zealand Christmas Tree due to the fact that its peak flowering season is mid to late December.

The Pohutukawa can grow up to and above 15m in height, with a spread of around 30m or greater. During the summer months, the tree is covered in many cases to its entirety in red flowers. With some trees, there are large matted aerial roots.

The Pohutukawa can grow up to and above 15m in height, with a spread of around 30m or greater. During the summer months, the tree is covered in many cases to its entirety in red flowers. With some trees, there are large matted aerial roots.

Younger plants are quite susceptible to frost, so if planting in an area with frosts of 10C or more, it is recommended that one buys a tree around a metre high. This sized tree will probably have it's adult foliage, which is a darker green and more leathery and thus can withstand harsher conditions. Even so, it would be advisable to always keep protected from frosts until it is well established.

Younger plants are quite susceptible to frost, so if planting in an area with frosts of 10C or more, it is recommended that one buys a tree around a metre high. This sized tree will probably have it's adult foliage, which is a darker green and more leathery and thus can withstand harsher conditions. Even so, it would be advisable to always keep protected from frosts until it is well established.

In 1940 on Mōtiti Island in the Bay of Plenty there was discovered a cultivar known as ''Aurea'' that has yellow flowers.

In 1940 on Mōtiti Island in the Bay of Plenty there was discovered a cultivar known as 'Aurea' that has yellow flowers.

===Propagation===

===Propagation===

===Pests and diseases===

===Pests and diseases===

The brush-tailed possum strips the adult pohutukawa trees of their leaves and eat their new growth. They will also eat the entire seedling. This means that many of the wild populations of pohutukawa are up to and over 200 years old.

The brush-tailed possum strips the adult pohutukawa trees of their leaves and eat their new growth. They will also eat the entire seedling. The treatment for this is sheet steel wrapped around the trunk to make it so possums can't climb the tree due to the fact they can't get a grip. Chicken wire netting can prevent seedlings from being eaten.

==Varieties==

*M. excelsa

 

*M. excelsa varigata

==Cultivars==

*M. excelsa aurea

 

*{{cu|M|etrosideros|excelsa|Springtime}}

*{{cu|M|etrosideros|excelsa|Varigata}}

*{{cu|M|etrosideros|excelsa|Vibrance}}

==Gallery==

==Gallery==