Family: Podocarpaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, commonly known as kahikatea or white pine, is a tall evergreen conifer native to New Zealand. In its natural habitat, it can grow into a stately forest tree reaching over 150 feet tall, with a straight trunk, smooth gray bark, and soft, feathery foliage. Young trees have a more shrub-like appearance, gradually developing into towering canopy trees with age. Kahikatea produces small, fleshy, berry-like cones that are attractive to birds. In landscaping, it is valued as an ornamental specimen tree for spacious gardens, parks, and restoration plantings, particularly where a graceful, upright evergreen is desired. It performs best in moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate periodic wet conditions.
Risks, Threats & Management
Kahikatea is considered a low-risk species for Hawai‘i. It is not known to be invasive in the islands and has not shown aggressive spreading behavior under local conditions. While it produces bird-dispersed seed in its native range, there is no evidence that it forms self-sustaining wild populations in Hawai‘i. As with any introduced tree, thoughtful placement is recommended—especially avoiding planting near sensitive natural areas where seeds could potentially establish. Regular monitoring of planted trees and removing any unwanted seedlings will help ensure it remains a responsible and sustainable landscape choice.
High Risk Traits:
- Can grow in temperate to subtropical climates
- Possibly allelopathic
- Moderately flammable
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms dense stands in native range
- Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
- Seeds may persist in the soil for 2 years
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Palatable to browsing animals
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Dioecious
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Long time to reproductive maturity
