tawhai rauriki
Fuscospora cliffortioides | mountain beech, tawhai rauriki
A tree with small, leathery leaves and smooth, silver-grey bark, well-suited to cool, high-altitude environments and harsh conditions. In gardens, its graceful, upright form and ability to create a dense, woodland feel make it ideal as a specimen tree or in native plantings.This hardy, relatively slow-growing tree prefers well-drained, moist soil and tolerates full sun to partial shade and frost, making it a resilient choice for cooler climates. Allow ample space for its mature size to ensure healthy development and landscape impact.
typical habitat.
montane forest
subalpine scrub
subalpine forest
drainage.
dry
free draining
well drained
moist
sun.
full sun
partial shade
mature specifications.
height | 25m
width | 5m / 75cm (trunk)
pollinators calendar.
flowering | November–January
fruiting | February–April
did you know?
Mountain beech typically reaches about 20 meters in height, but near the treeline, it forms a unique "goblin forest" of stunted trees, often no taller than 2 meters. Its leaves are elongated and characterised by a pointed tip.



