Medium to large tree with brown to dark brown bark that is often fissured and scaly on old trees. Leaves oblong to linear, 6-18 mm wide, 5-14 cm long, midvein prominent, other veins obscure.
Water a newly planted plum pine regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but never soggy, until new growth appears, which indicates the tree has rooted successfully. Plum pine trees benefit from a light application of an all-purpose plant food in late winter or early spring.
If growth appears sluggish, fertilize again in summer and early autumn. Avoid fertilizing in late autumn if there is danger of frost in your area, as new growth is more susceptible to damage.
It prefers a rich, moist, non-alkaline soil, but will tolerate a range of soil types, and must have adequate drainage. This tree is resistant to salt spray, making it suitable for coastal conditions. Leaves are shiny, narrow, tough and dark green with sharp tips.
Trimming side branches will result in bushier growth. Otherwise, it’s best not to prune plum pine trees, but you can prune lightly with clippers or shears any time of year if the tree is looking shaggy.
Grows best in areas with a humid climate[200]. Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157], but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters.
Podocarpus elatus - R.Br. ex Mirb. Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous Podocarpus elatus can grow into a large tree (40m) in the short period of 8 to 10 years. Its dark green leaves are lanceolate and 5 -15cm long. Its bark is dark brown and often fissured and scaly on older trees. It is dioecious.
