needle-leaved tōtara

Podocarpus acutifolius | needle-leaved tōtara, Westland tōtara

This small tree or shrub, typically growing to 4 meters with sharply pointed, needle-like foliage, is a distinctive choice for landscaping. Naturally found from the Marlborough Sounds to southern Westland, it shows remarkable resilience in various environments. With its thin, peeling bark and slender branches, it's easily clipped and shaped into a bushy form, making it an excellent hedging plant.