Libocedrus bidwillii (Pāhautea, New Zealand Cedar)

Libocedrus bidwillii, also called Pāhautea, Kaikawaka or New Zealand Cedar, is endemic to New Zealand. A handsome and very distinctive native tree with fern-like light-green foliage, a pyramidal to conical crown. It does best in a free draining, moderately fertile and moist soil. Grows to over 3m in cultivation and over 25m tall in the wild.

The foliage is arranged in flattened sprays; the leaves are scale-like, 1.5–2 mm long and 1 mm broad, arranged in opposite decussate pairs on the shoots. The seed cones are cylindrical, 8–12 mm long, with four scales each with a prominent curved spine-like bract; they are arranged in two opposite decussate pairs around a small central columella; the outer pair of scales is small and sterile, the inner pair large, bearing two winged seeds. They are mature about six to eight months after pollination. The pollen cones are 2.5–5 mm long.

The timber seldom becomes commercially available. It is very light in weight and a distinct light purple when cut. The timber in small dimension sizes is prone to spiral and twist when cut. It is sometimes used for lightweight sailing boat construction. It glues and holds ring nails well.