?Lincoln University campus 
? a guide to some of the 
trees currently growing 
there? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Roy Edwards 
Agriculture Group 
29
th
 April 2008 
 
 
 
The purpose of this document is to 
illustrate some of the range of plants 
currently grown on the Lincoln 
University campus. This is a first 
draft and later editions will both add 
species and address some of the 
obvious gaps. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
?Lincoln University campus ? a guide to some of the trees currently growing there? 
 
Roy Edwards 
29
th
 April 2008 
 
 
 
The purpose of this guide is primarily to increase the awareness for people who are 
interested in plants of the Lincoln University campus. At this point in time the list is 
incomplete and it is my intention to add others at a later date. I have started with the trees, 
because in the main this is the group I am largely asked to identify for various people. 
 
There is no doubt trees are an important part of the physical landscape at Lincoln University. 
They remind us of the changing seasons and we are comfortable with trees that we are 
familiar with. Trees in many ways are the link between the past and future generations of 
staff and students. Some trees have been planted as Memorials to staff and students 
effectively recognising the longevity of trees. 
 
Trees that have space to grow and if they are well maintained always look good. Trees 
provide us with shelter, visual satisfaction and provide a soft edge to buildings and tarmac. 
Some trees stand out because of their size, while others only seem to come alive with 
seasonal displays and then blend into the background. The Lincoln campus is all the better 
for large areas of open space where trees can properly displayed for both inspiration and 
reflection, or to just eat your lunch beneath in some shade on a sunny day.  
 
For some people trees can also be a learning resource, much like a library of books is for 
others. In a library, books of course have a title and are classified in order that they can 
easily be found. From there it is up to the individual as to what they may wish to find out from 
the contents. Currently plants at Lincoln are known by some at different levels of 
correctness, but for the majority providing the equivalent of a title and where you might find 
them may be a useful starting point, from there people can choose to learn what they may 
want to know about the plants. Labelling trees is another option, but for now, this should be 
seen for what it is - a starting point for those who wish to find out more.  
 
Hilgendorf is reputed to have said ?the field is my laboratory? that should still at least partly 
true for all land based subjects. The function of the Grounds Department at Lincoln is very 
important and if this can serve to help them promote and protect the resource we have for all 
sorts of purposes that can include teaching, research and the promotional values to the 
general public, then the time spent on this will have been useful. It can also be the start of 
future plans which can rationally look at the resource that is already here and how it can be 
improved, what gaps this and subsequent lists could help that planning.  
 
Trees offer many opportunities to learn about the environment around us. There are many 
examples of both exotic and native species on campus. Trees generally make the 
environment we spend much of our time amongst more pleasant. Bernatsky (1978) made 
some very important points in his book ?Tree ecology and preservation? not just about 
aesthetics and the common values we all appreciate, but values associated with the cooling 
effect of trees, their ability to humidify the air, to reduce pollutants from the air and many 
other desirable qualities trees contribute to a better environment. 
 
It is important and sometimes forgotten that trees and other plants have to fit in with a greatly 
modified environment, changed by the incorporation of drainage, roads, paths and buildings. 
Associated with that are the expectations many people have that their working space is not 
shaded and the simple pleasures people get from plants that reflect the changing of the 
seasons. 
 
There are some simple truths about trees that are worth considering. I have listed a few 
briefly only. Trees require time and space to grow well, many are expected to live for 
decades and possibly centuries. Planting plans are necessary for incorporating trees into the 
landscape if trees are to survive long term. Trees are not necessarily the perfect form and 
may need some training or corrective pruning especially when they are young. Good, well 
selected trees and proper initial training will pay dividends in terms of the longevity of trees. 
Tree maintenance is important, not all trees remain in good health and some trees can 
become unsafe over time.  
 
A regular management plan for the maintenance of trees should be part of any good 
grounds maintenance plan. Knowledge about tree maintenance should be based on an 
understanding of how trees grow. Some trees create problems by lifting paths, foundations 
and footpaths, by blocking drains, being host to pests and disease, or by suckering or 
seeding. Many trees produce seed and often seedlings grow where they were never planted. 
Seedlings of all types should be removed before they get a chance to become established.  
 
Trees are living organisms and cannot readily adapt to having roots cut or paths, driveways 
or car parks sealed over them. Trees do not adapt to levels being changed over root 
systems, they will simply die a slow death which may not even be noticed initially. Trees may 
be harmed by cultural practices, not all trees need staking for instance, often the stakes and 
ties cause more damage than if the tree was never staked in the first place. Weed eaters 
used carelessly often seriously damage or ring bark young trees. Herbicide use needs to be 
carefully managed around trees.  
 
Trees do not live forever even though the replacement of new living cells would theoretically 
suggest that a tree could. Sometimes large trees need to be removed for safety or other 
reasons. Not all trees growing on campus may be desirable either. 
 
The list of trees has been something I have built up over the years, initially from knowledge 
about trees gained as a student at Lincoln from my early lecturers notably John Taylor, 
Charlie Challenger and Sheldon Cradock, all of whom have since passed away. I also came 
across a list of trees at Lincoln produced by Ruth Burns in 1984 which provided information 
about some trees planted in the grounds of Lincoln University. Other lists of plants planted in 
the grounds have occasionally come my way from various grounds staff, but more often than 
not I have discovered new plants planted and old plants gone on visits around the grounds. 
 
In 2006 Michael Smetham approached me to write some notes about a few trees on campus 
to fit in with a publication previously covering art works. I did this and eventually contributed 
information for twenty eight trees into a ?Visitors Guide to Artworks, Buildings and Trees on 
the Lincoln University Campus? published in 2007. However in the process of writing that 
material I wrote about significantly more trees than were ultimately required and from that 
decided that perhaps I should simply continue. Dick Lucas encouraged me to do so and 
Carol Brandenburg offered to print a few copies in colour, but requested what I have covered 
so far now, suggesting I could finish the trees and shrubs not included here at a later date.  
 
I have complied with Carol?s suggestion, however this has left plenty of gaps to fill for the 
next edition. Opportunities include possible GPS locations, more precise planting dates, 
growth rates of trees at Lincoln and fuller botanical descriptions, however I hope that this 
accepted for what it is - an incomplete, but useful starting point. All of the photographs are 
my own, taken with a DSC Sony H7 digital camera which does have some limitations, but is 
wonderfully convenient. 
 
 
It might be useful to briefly consider what a tree is here before proceeding. 
Some definitions 
 
A tree is? 
?A woody plant that produces one main trunk and a more or less distinct and 
elevated crown? Staff of Bailey Hortorum (1976) 
 
?A woody, perennial plant with a single main stem, generally branching at some 
distance from the ground and possessing a more or less distinct, elevated crown? 
Huxley, Griffiths, Levy. (1992) 
 
?A tree is a plant that stands of itself and can be climbed in? Haller (1977)  
 
Shrubs are 
?Shrubs are perennial plants with many persistent woody stems from or near the 
base. If the woody part is confined to the lower portion of the plant while the upper 
shoots are soft, the term sub-shrub is applied? Synge, P. (1956)  
 
Woody climbing plants 
?Climbing plants ascend toward the light by using other objects for support? Synge, P. 
(1956) 
 
While I have endeavoured to separate trees and shrubs based on what one expects a tree to 
be cabbage trees and palms according to Haller?s definition are not trees for the reason that 
you can climb on palms, but not in them. Similarly some trees branch close to the base, 
trees like the Chilean mayten and the strawberry tree, yet in terms of size and form are best 
described as trees. Some trees may be small simply because they are still too young to 
climb in or on. Trees planted at higher altitudes with a reduced growing season may not 
grow any higher than plants normally considered as shrubs, bonsai tree forms can live much 
longer than trees in the wild, yet are miniaturised forms of the species. Some cultivars of 
species can be dwarf forms or ?witches brooms?, especially true of conifers. Trees in 
extreme environments such as that exposed to coastal winds can have their form 
dramatically altered. With training plants such as climbing wisteria can be trained to have a 
supporting trunk, much like a tree. So within the scope of this list of trees there is the 
potential to challenge whether or not a particular species that has been included is exactly a 
tree. You will have to forgive my liberties in that respect. Where I have included some shrubs 
I will endeavour to make that clear. 
 
The following references have been used in a general sense or to check species names or 
identification. 
 
Allan, H.H. (1961) ?Flora of New Zealand? Vol.1, R.E. Owen, Government Printer, Wellington, 
New Zealand. 
 
Bailey, L.H. (1977) ?Manual of cultivated plants? (Revised edition 1949) Sixteenth Printing, 
Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. 
 
Bean, W.J. (1970) ?Trees and shrubs hardy in the British Isles? Eight Edition Edited by Sir 
George Taylor. Four Volumes. M. Bean and John Murray (Publishers) Ltd., London. 
 
Bernatzky, A. (1978) ?Tree ecology and preservation? Amsterdam : Elsevier Scientific Pub. 
Co. ; New York. 
 
Burns, R.A. (1984) ?Some trees at Lincoln College? From an unpublished list of 18 species 
and location map. 4pp. 
 
Coombes, A.J. (1992) ?Trees? Harper Collins Publishers, Dorling Kindersley Limited, London. 
 
Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A.B. revised by Harrison, S.G. (1974) ?A handbook of Coniferae 
and Ginkgoaceae? Edward Arnold, London. 
 
Edwards, R.A. (1980) ?Eucalyptus viminalis ? Annual Journal of the Royal New Zealand 
Institute of Horticulture, No.8. pp.34-39. 
 
Edwards, R.A. ?Flowering dates for ornamental Prunus in Christchurch?. Unpublished paper 
1980?s. 
 
Edwards, R.A. (n.d.) Working data base for campus plants on Lotus Approach (unpublished) 
 
Grace, J. ? General Editor (1988) ?Ornamnetal conifers? Mural Books, Auckland. 
 
Harrison, R.E. (1960) ?Handbook of trees and shrubs for the Southern Hemisphere? 2
nd
 
edition. A.H & A.W. Reed, Wellington. 
 
Heenan, P.B., Dawson, M.I., Redmond, D.N. and Wagstaff, S.J. ?Relationships of the New 
Zealand mountain ribbonwoods (Hoheria glabrata and H. lyallii: Malvaceae), based on 
molecular and morphological data? http://www.rsnz.org/publis/nzjb/2005/031.php 
 
Huxley, A., Griffiths, M. and Levy, M. (Editors) (1992) ?The new Royal Horticultural Society 
dictionary of gardening? 4 vols. The Macmillan Press Limited, London, The Stockton 
Press, New York. 
 
Kuitert, W. (1999) ?Japanese flowering cherries? Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. 
 
Metcalf, L.J. (1991) ?The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs? Reed Books, 
Auckland, New Zealand. 
 
Mitchell, A. (1984) ?A field guide to the trees of Britain and Northern Europe? Collins, London. 
 
Molloy, B. (Editor) (1995) ?Riccarton Bush: Putaringamotu? The Riccarton Bush Trust, 
Christchurch, New Zealand. 
 
Moore, L.B. and Irwin, J.B. (1978) ?The Oxford book of New Zealand plants? Oxford 
University Press, Wellington, Oxford, New York. 
 
Poole, A.L. and Adams, N.M. (1986) ?Trees and shrubs of New Zealand? Government 
Printing Office, Wellington, New Zealand. 
 
Salmon, J.T. (1999) ?The native trees of New Zealand? Heinnemann Reed, Auckland, New 
Zealand. 
 
Spellerburg, I. and Given, D. (Editors) (2004) ?Going native ? making use of New Zealand 
plants? Canterbury University press, Christchurch, New Zealand. 
 
Synge, P. (1956) ?The Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening? Oxford University 
Press, Great Britain. 
Lincoln Campus trees 
Abies fargesii   (silver fir, Farges fir) 
Abies numidica   (Algerian fir) 
Abies pinsapo   (Spanish fir) 
Acacia   (wattles) see Racosperma 
Acer buergerianum   (trident maple) 
Acer campestre   (field maple, hedge maple) 
Acer capillipes   (red snakebark maple) 
Acer davidii   (Pere David?s maple) 
Acer griseum   (paper bark maple) 
Acer negundo   (box elder, ash leafed maple) 
Acer negundo ?Argenteo-Marginatum?  
Acer negundo ?Aureo-Variegatum?  
Acer palmatum   (Japanese maple) 
Acer platanoides   (Norway maple) 
Acer platanoides ?Crimson King?  (Norway maple) 
Acer platanoides ?Goldsworth Purple?  (Norway maple) 
Acer pseudoplatanus   (sycamore) 
 Acer pseudoplatanus ?Leopoldii? 
Acer rubrum   (red maple) 
Acer saccharum   (sugar maple) 
Acer saccharinum   (silver maple) 
Acer saccharinum ?Laciniatum?   (cut leaved silver maple) 
Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala   (Amur maple) 
Aesculus x carnea ?Briotii?   (red horse chestnut) 
Aesculus hippocastanum   (horse chestnut) 
Aesculus indica   (Indian horse chestnut) 
Agathis australis   (kauri) 
Agonis juniperina ?Florists Star? 
Ailanthus altissima   (tree of heaven) 
Albizia julibrissin   (silk tree) 
Alectryon excelsus   (titoki) 
Alnus glutinosa   (common alder, alder) 
Amelanchier canadensis   (shad bush) 
Amomyrtus luma   (Palomadrona) 
Arbutus menziesii   (madrona) 
Arbutus unedo   (Irish strawberry tree) 
Aristotelia serrata   (makomako or wineberry ) 
Athrotaxis cupressoides   (smooth Tasmanian cedar) 
Azara microphylla   (vanilla tree) 
Betula ermanii   (Erman?s birch) 
Betula papyrifera   (canoe birch, paper-bark birch) 
Betula pendula   (silver birch) 
Betula pendula ?Dalecarlica?   (Swedish birch, cut leafed birch) 
Betula pendula ?Purpurea? 
Betula pendula ?Youngii? 
Betula utilis   (Himalayan birch) 
Broussonetia papyrifera   (aute, paper mulberry) 
Calliandra portoricensis   (snow flake wattle) 
Callitris oblonga   (Tasmanian cypress pine) 
Calocedrus decurrens   (incense cedar) 
Carpinus betulus   (hornbeam, European hornbeam, common hornbeam) 
Carpodetus serratus   (putaputaweta, marble leaf) 
Casuarina cunninghamiana   (river she?oak, she-oak) 
Catalpa bignonioides   (Indian bean tree) 
Catalpa bignonioides ?Aurea?  (Indian bean tree) 
Cedrus deodara   (deodar cedar, Himalayan cedar) 
Cedrus libani   (Cedar of Lebanon) 
Cedrus libani  subsp. atlantica 
Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. drupacea  (Japanese plum yew) 
Cercis siliquastrum   (Judas tree) 
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana   (Lawson?s cypress) 
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana cv.s ?Ellwoodii?, ?Green Globe?, ?Pembury Blue?, ?Wallis Gold? 
Chamaecyparis obtusa cv.s ?Confucius?, ?Gracilis Aurea?, ?Tetragona Aurea? 
Chamaecyparis pisifera ?Boulevard?  
Chamaecyparis pisifera ?Filifera Aurea? 
Cordyline australis   (ti kauka, cabbage tree)  
Cornus capitata   (strawberry tree, dogwood) 
Cornus florida   (flowering dogwood) 
Cornus mas   (Cornelian cherry) 
Corynocarpus laevigatus   (karaka) 
Crataegus crus-gallii   (cockspur thorn) 
Crataegus laevigata ?Paul?s Scarlet?   (English hawthorn cultivar) 
Crataegus x lavallei ?Carrierei?    
Cryptomeria japonica   (Japanese cedar) 
Cunninghamia lanceolata   (Chinese fir) 
Cupressus lusitanica   (Cedar of Goa, lusitanica cypress, Mexican cedar) 
Cupressus macrocarpa   (macrocarpa, Monterey cypress) 
Cupressus sempervirens f. sempervirens   (Italian cypress) 
Cupressus sempervirens f. sempervirens  ?Gracilis?, ?Stricta? ?Swaines Gold?, 
Cupressus torulosa   (Bhutan cypress, Himalayan cypress) 
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides   (kahikatea, white pine) 
Dacrydium cupressinum   (rimu, red pine) 
Dais cotinifolia   (pompon tree) 
Davidia involucrata   (handkerchief tree, dove tree, ghost tree) 
Diospyros lotus   (date plum) 
Dodonaea viscosa   (akeake, ironwood, hopbush) 
Dodonaea viscosa ?Purpurea? 
Drimys lanceolata   (pepper tree) 
Drimys winteri  
Elaeocarpus dentatus   (hinau) 
Eucalyptus amygdalina   (peppermint) 
Eucalyptus cinerea   (silver dollar gum, Argyle apple) 
Eucalyptus viminalis   (manna gum) 
Eucryphia moorei   (stinkwood, pinkwood, plum tree) 
Eucryphia x intermedia   (stinkwood, pinkwood, plum tree) 
Euonymus europaeus   (spindle berry, common spindle tree)  
Evodia daniellii  see Tetradium daniellii 
Fagus sylvatica   (English beech) 
Fagus sylvatica ?Pendula Purpurea? 
Fagus sylvatica ?Purpurea?   (copper beech) 
Fraxinus  angustifolia   (Caucasian ash) 
Fraxinus  angustifolia ?Raywood?   (claret ash) 
Fraxinus excelsior ?Aurea?   (golden ash) 
Fraxinus ornus   (manna ash, flowering ash) 
Fraxinus pennsylvanica   (green ash, red ash) 
Fraxinus velutina   (Arizona ash) 
Garrya elliptica ?James Roof?   (silk tree, tassel tree) 
Ginkgo biloba   (ginkgo, maidenhair tree) 
Gleditsia triacanthos   (honey locust) 
Gleditsia triacanthos ?Sunburst? 
Gymnocladus dioica   (Kentucky coffee bean tree) 
Hedera helix in relation to.. (see Cupressus lusitanica) 
Hoheria angustifolia   (hungere) 
Hoheria glabrata   (houhi, mountain ribbonwood) 
Hoheria populnea   (houhere or lacebark) 
Hoheria sexstylosa   (houhere or lacebark) 
Hymenanthera spp. see Melicytus 
Ilex aquifolium   (English holly)  
Iochroma cyaneum 
Juglans nigra   (black walnut) 
Juglans regia   (English walnut) 
Juniperus chinensis ?Kaizuka?   (Hollywood juniper) 
Juniperus recurva var.coxii   (Burmese coffin juniper) 
Juniperus squamata ?Meyeri? 
Knightia excelsa   (rewarewa, New Zealand honeysuckle) 
Koelreuteria paniculata   (Golden rain tree, Pride of India) 
Kunzea ericoides   (kanuka) 
Laburnum anagyroides   (common laburnum, golden chain) 
Lagerstroemia indica   (crape myrtle, crepe flower) 
Larix decidua   (larch) 
Leptospermum nitidum ?Copper Sheen? 
Leptospermum scoparium   (manuka) 
Leucadendron argenteum   (silver tree) 
Libocedrus bidwillii   (pahautea, mountain cedar) 
Libocedrus plumosa   (kawaka, New Zealand cedar) 
Ligustrum lucidum ?Tricolor?   (variegated shining privet, variegated tree privet) 
Liquidambar styraciflua   (sweet gum) 
Liriodendron tulipifera   (tulip tree) 
Magnolia cylindrica 
Magnolia doltsopa ?Silver Cloud?   (syn. Michelia) 
Magnolia grandiflora   (Bull Bay magnolia) 
Magnolia ?Lanarth? (syn. Magnolia campbellii  ssp. mollicomata ?Lanarth?) 
Magnolia liliiflora ?Nigra?   (Mulan) 
Magnolia macrophylla   (large-leaved cucumber tree, umbrella tree) 
Magnolia x raffillii ?Charles Raffill? 
Magnolia x soulangeana ?Norbertii? 
Magnolia x soulangeana ?Picture? 
Malus ?Gorgeous?   (crab apple) 
Malus trilobata 
Maytenus boaria   (Chilean mayten) 
Melicytus chathamicus 
Melicytus lanceolatus   (mahoewao kai-weta) 
Melicytus ramiflorus   (mahoe or whiteywood) 
Metasequoia glyptostroboides   (dawn redwood of China) 
Michelia see Magnolia 
Morus alba   (white mulberry) 
Muehlenbeckia australis in relation to?(see Cupressus lusitanica) 
Myrsine australis   (mapou, matipo) 
Nothofagus fusca   (red beech) 
Nothofagus menziesii   (silver beech) 
Nothofagus solanderi var. cliffortioides   (mountain beech) (syn N. solandrii var. cliffortioides) 
Nothofagus solanderi var. solanderi   (black beech) (syn N. solandrii var. solandrii) 
Nothofagus truncata   (hard beech) 
Nyssa sylvatica   (tupelo) 
Olea europaea   (olive) 
Parrotia persica   (Persian ironwood, Persian witch hazel) 
Paulownia tomentosa   (Imperial tree of China) 
Phebalium squameum   (satin wood) 
Phebalium squameum ?Illumination?   (variegated satin wood) 
Phoenix canariensis   (Canary Island palm) 
Photinia x fraseri  ?Robusta?   (photinia) 
Phyllocladus trichomanioides   (celery pine) 
Picea glauca ?Conica?   (dwarf Alberta spruce) 
Picea glenhii   (Sakhalin spruce) 
Picea omorika   (Serbian spruce) 
Picea pungens ?Koster?   (blue Colorado spruce) 
Picea sitchensis   (Sitka spruce) 
Picea smithiana   (Morinda spruce, Himalayan spruce) 
Pinus coulteri   (big cone pine) 
Pinus montezumae   (rough barked Mexican pine) 
Pinus mugo   (mountain pine, dwarf mountain pine) 
Pinus nigra var. maritima   (Corsican pine) 
Pinus pinaster   (maritime pine) 
Pinus radiata   (Monterey pine, radiata pine) 
Pinus. radiata ?Golden Selection? 
Pinus sylvestris   (Scots pine) 
Pittosporum eugenioides   (tarata, lemonwood) 
Pittosporum eugenioides ?Variegatum? 
Pittosporum ralphii   (karo) 
Pittosporum ralphii ?Variegatum? 
Pittosporum tenuifolium   (kohuhu) 
Pittosporum tenuifolium ?Eila Keightley? 
Pittosporum tenuifolium ?Irene Patterson? 
Pittosporum tenuifolium ?Tom Thumb? 
Pittosporum ?Variegatum? 
Plagianthus divaricatus   (makaka, shore ribbonwood) 
Plagianthus regius   (manatu, ribbonwood) 
Platanus x acerifolia   (London plane) 
Platanus orientalis   (Oriental plane) 
Platycladus orientalis ?Blue Cone? 
Podocarpus totara   (totara) 
Podocarpus totara   (totara - weeping form) 
Podocarpus hallii x totara ?Aurea?   (golden totara) 
Populus grandidentata   (big toothed aspen, Canadian aspen) 
Populus lasiocarpa   (Chinese necklace poplar) 
Populus nigra ?Italica?   (Lombardy poplar. Italian poplar) 
Populus trichocarpa   (black cottonwood, western balsam poplar) 
Populus yunnanensis  
Prumnopitys ferruginea   syn. Podocarpus ferrugineus  (miro) 
Prunus campanulata   (Taiwan cherry, Formosan cherry, bell flowering cherry) 
Prunus cerasifera ?Nigra?   (purple leafed myrobalan plum, cherry plum) 
Prunus ?Amanogawa?   (Japanese cherries) 
Prunus ?Shogetsu?   syn. P. ?Shimidsu-zakura? 
Prunus ?Kanzan? 
Prunus ?Kiku-Shidare-Zakura? 
Prunus ?Shirotae?, Prunus ?Shogetsu?   syn. P. ?Shimidsu-Zakura? 
Prunus laurocerasus   (cherry laurel) 
Prunus lusitanica   (Portuguese laurel) 
Prunus mume ?The Geisha?   (Korean apricot) 
Prunus x subhirtella ?Jugatsu-Zakura?   syn. ?Autumnalis? 
Prunus x yedoensis   (Somei-yoshino, yoshino cherry) 
Pseudotsuga menziesii   (Douglas fir)  
Pseudowintera colorata   (horopito, pepper tree) 
Pyrus calleryana   (Bradford pear, callery pear) 
Pyrus communis ?Winter Cole?   (pear) 
Pyrus salicifolia ?Pendula?   (silver weeping pear) 
Quercus acutissima   (Japanese chestnut oak, saw tooth oak) 
Quercus canariensis x Q. robur 
Quercus cerris   (Turkey oak) 
Quercus coccinea   (scarlet oak) 
Quercus ilex   (Holm oak) 
Quercus laurifolia   (laurel oak) 
Quercus palustris   (pin oak) 
Quercus palustris x Quercus coccinea 
Quercus robur 
 Quercus robur ?Fastigiata?, Quercus robur (Joan Mahoney memorial oak tree) 
Quercus robur x Q. canariensis  
Quercus rubra   (red oak) 
Racosperma baileyanum   syn. Acacia 
Racosperma dealbatum   syn. Acacia 
Racosperma floribundum   syn. Acacia 
Racosperma longifolium   syn. Acacia 
Racosperma melanoxylon   syn. Acacia 
Racosperma pravissima   syn. Acacia 
Racosperma rubida  syn.  Acacia 
Robinia pseudoacacia   (robinia, false locust) 
Salix matsudana   (matsudana willow, Peking willow) 
Saxegothaea conspicua   (Prince Albert?s yew) 
Scidopitys verticillata   (Japanese umbrella pine) 
Sequoia sempervirens   (coastal redwood, redwood, Californian redwood) 
Sequoiadendron giganteum   (Wellingtonia, giant sequoia, big tree, Sierra redwood) 
Sophora japonica   (pagoda tree, Japanese pagoda tree, Chinese pagoda tree) 
Sophora longicarinata   (kowhai) 
Sophora microphylla   (kowhai, South Island kowhai) 
Sophora prostrata   (kowhai) 
Sophora tetraptera   (kowhai, North Island kowhai) 
Sorbus aria ?Lutescens?   (whitebeam) 
Sorbus aucuparia   (rowan tree, mountain ash) 
Sorbus hupehensis   (Hupeh rowan) 
Sorbus insignis x S. foliosa ?Ghose? 
Styrax japonicum   (snow bell, silver bells, storax) 
Styrax obassia 
Taxodium distichum   (swamp cypress) 
Taxus baccata  
Taxus baccata ?Dovastonia?? 
Taxus baccata ?Fastigiata?   (Irish yew)  
Tetradium daniellii   syn. Evodia 
Thuja occidentalis ?Pyramidalis?  
Thuja orientalis see Platycladus orientalis 
Thuja plicata   (western red cedar) 
Thuja plicata ?Aurea? 
Thujopsis dolabrata   (hiba arborvitae) 
Thujopsis dolabrata ?Variegata? 
Tilia x vulgaris   syn. T. x europaea   (European lime, common lime) 
Torreya californica   (Californian nutmeg-yew) 
Trachycarpus fortunei   (Chusan palm, Chinese fan palm) 
Ulmus carpinifolia ?Variegata?   (smooth leaved elm, European field elm) 
Ulmus glabra ?Camperdown?   (wych elm, Camperdown elm) 
Ulmus x hollandica   (Dutch elm) 
Ulmus parvifolia   (Chinese elm) 
Washingtonia robusta   (southern washingtonia, Mexican washingtonia) 
Weinmanniana racemosa   (kamahi) 
Zelkova serrata   (Japanese zelkova, saw leaf zelkova) 
 
Abies fargesii   (silver fir, Farges fir) 
 
This is an attractive evergreen conifer in the Amenity area in the Pinaceae collection. It is 
native of China and is the only example on campus. It is monoecious, leaves are moderately 
stiff, forward pointing, curving upwards with white stomata below, except for a midrib and 
margins. Leaves are green or bluish above about 30mm long. Cones are purplish blue with 
exserted scales with a reflexed tip. Male cones are soft purple to brown. 
 Amenity area north-west corner 
 
 
Male and female cones 
Abies numidica  (Algerian fir) 
 
This tree has a damaged top, but is as far as I am aware the only example of this species on 
campus. Young branches are yellowish to brownish green. Leaves are curved upwards, 15-
20mm long, twisted at the base with 2 white stomatal bands below. 
 
 s. e. Burns Wing. 
 
 branch and densely arranged leaves. 
 
Abies pinsapo  (Spanish fir) 
 
There are a few of this species on campus, the oldest is in Farm Road east of the Works 
Office, a second younger glaucous specimen is growing in the Pinaceae collection in the 
north west corner of the Amenity area. Leaves are 10-18mm long, very stiff and typically 
point forward and upward, although arranged all around the shoot. The glaucous specimens 
generally do better in drier Canterbury than the similar blue spruce as lawn specimens. 
There was a second tree near the Works Office that was badly attacked by scale a few years 
ago and that tree was removed. 
 
 cones sit above the foliage, typical of Abies 
 
  Farm Road near Works Office 
 
Acer buergerianum  (trident maple) 
 
There is a small tree of this species planted on the north western side of the pond in the 
Amenity area. This was planted in 1997. Another was given to the Grounds Department at 
the same time and was planted in the centre and just to the south of Orchard car park. On a 
cursory inspection I have not been able to locate this second tree. The trident maple appears 
to be relatively slow growing, it eventually is expected to grow to 10 -12 m or so. The trident 
maple is a native of Eastern China and Japan. This species has opposite, simple three lobed 
leaves, with a petiole of up to 4-8cm or so. Sometimes the leaves appear without lobes 
amongst lobed leaves on the same branch. The lamina is approximately 8-10cm long and 
wide, dark green above and paler below, leaves are pubescent when young. Leaves colour 
up to shades of red in the autumn. Small yellow flowers are produced in terminal panicles in 
late spring. The fruit consists of paired winged samaras, more or less v shaped. 
 
 
 small vase shaped tree n.w. corner by pond at Amenity area 
 
 opposite 3 lobes leaves 
Acer campestre   (field maple, hedge maple) 
 
This tree is growing in the lawn to the north of the lodge and is the only good example of this 
species represented on campus. A second younger and smaller tree is struggling in a hot 
dry open position to the north of the Hort. Teaching lab. This tree would be better relocated 
to a more sheltered site or removed. Field maples are usually small to medium sized 
deciduous trees with a rounded crown. The species originate from Europe and Western Asia 
and are reputedly, often used for hedging purposes in the United Kingdom. The leaves of 
field maples are simple, opposite at each node and palmately lobed with five lobes, the 
upper three larger than the basal pair. Fully expanded leaves are approximately 8 - 12cm 
long and slightly broader on slender green or pink coloured petioles of about 10cm. Leaves 
are a dull dark green colour and usually colour up to rich yellow or gold tones in the autumn. 
Flowers are produced in terminal panicles as young leaves start to unfold around early 
October. They are small and green and not particularly visually significant. The keys (paired 
samaras containing seed) are almost horizontal and about 30mm long. The twigs of field 
maples sometimes develop corky ?wings? as they age. It is not known when this tree was 
planted but suspect it was possibly sometime during the 1950?s. 
 
 n. e. Lodge 
 
 
 simple, opposite palmately lobed leaves and broad spreading paired samaras 
Acer capillipes   (red snake-bark maple) 
 
This is a small deciduous maple that originates from Japan. This tree can be seen on the 
east side of the western wing at the southern end of Hudson Hall. It is a relatively young tree 
that looks like it may have been planted in the early years of 2000. This tree is easily 
recognized as one of the snake-bark maples based on its attractive green and white striped 
trunk and branches. Like all other maples this species has opposite leaves. The leaves are 
simple and petiolate. The lamina has three obvious lobes and usually two less obvious basal 
lobes, the terminal lobe is the largest. The lamina is up to about 13cm long by 10cm across 
with a mixture of mainly fine serrations. The upper surface is a dark, dull green, the lower 
surface is a whitish-green. Venation is very clear on both sides of the lamina. The main veins 
at the base are palmately arranged, then become pinnate (palmi-pinnate). In the axils of the 
pinnate veins on the lower surface is a distinctive pale yellowish green gland like lump. The 
petiole and the lower main veins are reddish, the petiole is up to 45mm long and concave 
above. Flowers are produced in early November, each flower is about 5mm across and is a 
greenish yellow. The flowers are produced in terminal racemes about 8-10cm long of about 
20-30 flowers. The fruit are nearly horizontal paired winged samaras, wings about 25mm 
long. This tree could grow to about 8-10m or so and has good autumn colours. 
 
 opposite simple leaves and inflorescences 
 
 autumn colours 
Acer davidii  (Pere David?s maple) 
 
This example is at the south end of Stevens Hall. The tree displays both old and young bark 
which is strikingly different. The leaves are large for a maple and glossy green above. 
Leaves ovate to 150mm x 100mm margins serrate + 7 pairs veins strongly evident above 
and below, petiole to 70mm red-yellow, concave above. This is an attractive small garden 
tree, probably around forty years old. 
 
  young bark 
 
 south east of Stevens Hall 
 
 opposite, simple leaves 
Acer griseum  (paper bark maple) 
 
This is a small to medium sized tree, there are two examples on campus, a young tree at the 
north eastern end of Stewart Building and a much larger example south of Room one at the 
southern end of Hilgendorf wing. The main feature of this species is the attractive bark 
characteristics. Bark peels away from the trunk high lighting cinnamon brown or orange 
tones and an interesting textural appearance. The tree is a small to medium rounded topped 
tree at maturity with a tidy habit. It is best displayed where the trunk can be seen, this may 
involve removing the lower branches as the tree grows. As with other maples the leaves are 
arranged opposite each other at nodes and in this case are palmately compound, divided 
into three leaflets. Each leaflet is lobed in the upper half, leaves are hairy, dull green above 
and a paler blue ? green below. The keys (paired samaras containing seed) are pendulous, 
almost vertical. This is a desirable specimen tree when grown well. It is difficult to propagate 
from seed compared with many other species of maple which only makes the tree more 
desirable. Harrison in his Handbook of Trees and Shrubs for the Southern Hemisphere 
describes this species as ?a real connoisseur?s piece? It originates from Central China. 
Stewart Building e.n. 
 
  palmately compound leaves & fruit 
 
 Hilgendorf south peeling bark and trunk 
Acer negundo   (box elder, ash leafed maple) 
 
The box elder is a small to medium sized fast growing round topped deciduous tree. This 
tree is one of the few maple species that is quite tolerant of wind, the Norway maple (Acer 
platanoides) is another. The box elder unlike most other maples has pinnately compound 
leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite at each node and have between three and seven 
leaflets, and often with variable numbers of leaflets on leaves on the same shoot. Fully 
expanded leaves are up to 25cm long with a petiole of 8cm, leaflets are ovate to lanceolate 
to 10cm long by about 5cm across, with serrated margins and often the terminal leaflet is 
strongly three lobed as well. Petiolules vary in size from about 5-10mm to much more for the 
terminal leaflets. The flowers of this maple are amongst the showiest of the maple species 
as they are clustered on drooping stalks about late September, before the leaves appear. 
This species is dioecious with separate male and female trees. Female trees produce 
drooping paired samaras of about 4cm in length with curved pale yellow wings. There is an 
older example of this species at the eastern end of the Betula Border. There are other 
examples on campus including some variegated cultivars, both Acer negundo ?Argenteo-
Marginatum? and Acer negundo ?Aureo-Variegatum? were transplanted from the Nursery 
stockbed to the Amenity area in 1991. Both trees have tended to try and revert to the 
species by producing vigorous green shoots at the base of the trunk. 
 
 Opposite pinnately compound leaves 
 
 north east corner of Amenity area 
Acer palmatum and cultivars   (Japanese maple) 
 
Japanese maples are small to medium, moderately slow growing deciduous trees, they are 
best known for their multiplicity of leaf shapes, leaf colour and delicate often shiny reds, 
brown or green branches. Japanese maples grow best where good shelter from the wind is 
provided and in good soils. There are a number of different leaf forms of Japanese maple in 
the old formal garden north of the Commerce building toward the western end. They are 
seen here in association with winter sweet, witch hazel, viburnums, rhododendrons, azaleas, 
camellias, Japanese cherries and magnolias. This garden has become less formal over time 
with some seedling species that do not associate well having been allowed to get 
established here. As with most other maples the leaves are simple, arranged in opposite 
pairs at each node and are variously palmately lobed and serrated. Flowers are not showy 
and the fruits are paired samaras. Within this largely Asiatic collection there is also the dwarf 
grafted form with a strongly weeping habit - Acer palmatum ?Dissectum Atropurpureum?. This 
is a sought after plant which is usually budded or grafted on to seedlings of Acer palmatum, 
because they are not easy to produce, they do tend to be quite expensive to buy. Never the 
less, Japanese maples of all sorts of cultivars are popular garden plants. 
 
 palmately lobed leaves, autumn shades 
 
 Betula border eastern end 
Acer platanoides  (Norway maple) 
 
This example is seen toward the extreme eastern end of the Betula border. This is a small to 
medium sized deciduous tree that does well at Lincoln. Leaves are simple and opposite, five 
lobed with several teeth, approx. 150mm x 175mm, petiolate. Paired samaras are broad 
spreading to 50mm. 
 
 round form 
 
 
Five lobed leaves and spreading samaras, leaves colour up well in the autumn. 
Acer platanoides ?Crimson King?   (Norway maple) 
 
A purple leaved cultivar of Norway maple 
 
tree south east Stevens  
 
deep purple - red leaves and red winged samaras 
Acer platanoides ?Goldsworth Purple? (Norway maple) 
 
Trees planted in a north-south row west of the main sports field adjacent to (east of) the 
large evergreen row of holm oak (Quercus ilex). Another row is adjacent to the lime trees 
lining the western side of Calder Drive. These trees are a dull purple leaved from of Norway 
maple. 
 
 Trees lining sports field 
 
 Trees colour well in the autumn 
 
 
Young emerging leaves and flowers in spring.  
Acer pseudoplatanus  (sycamore) 
 
Sycamores are often regarded as weed trees because of their prolific seed produced and 
subsequent ability to germinate, especially where there are good moisture retentive soils. It 
is somewhat surprising that this tree was retained when the Commerce Building was erected 
and other Works Department activity was taking place in this general area. This tree is 
responsible for young sycamores seen in many gardens around campus, fortunately, most 
seem to be removed before they become problematic. This is a medium to large sized 
deciduous tree that is hardy to Canterbury conditions, especially in relation to wind, but does 
better in sheltered conditions particularly near streams and the like. Sycamores are native to 
Central and NW Europe, Italy and Western Asia. They have large simple, leaves arranged in 
opposite pairs at each node. The leaves can be up to 2 long by 16cm across, they are 
usually five lobed and with a petiole of up to 9cm long. The leaves colour up to yellow 
shades in the autumn from a dark green. Yellow-green flowers are produced in pendent 
racemes up to about 12cm long after the leaves in spring and are followed by paired winged 
samaras.  
 
 Sycamore adjacent to the old Printery. This tree should be removed. 
 
 Spring flowers and foliage detail 
 
 
 ?Leopoldii? a variegated cultivar north east of Amenity area 
Acer rubrum  (red maple) 
 
There is a good example of this species just inside the east side of the main entrance to the 
Amenity Area, before the pond, at the western end of Farm Road. This tree was planted in 
1992 and is about 7m tall, another tree was planted by the Grounds Department about the 
same time on the western side of Forbes. The main attraction of this species is the 
spectacular red autumn foliage display. This is a reasonably fast growing medium sized 
deciduous tree hardy to wind that appears to have a good tidy ovoid form. It is a native of 
central and eastern North America. The red maple has simple opposite leaves with slender 
red petioles of up to 7cm or so. The lamina is mainly 3 lobed (some leaves 5 lobed) and 
coarsely serrated, the upper surface is medium to dark green above and silvery below. The 
main veins for the two main lobes are about 45° to the vein of the terminal lobe. The lamina 
is up to about 75mm long by 70mm across. Male and female flowers are often on different 
trees, the fruit is paired winged samaras. 
 
 tree n.w. of pond in Amenity area (autumn colour) 
 
 autumn colour 
Acer saccharum  (sugar maple) 
 
This tree according to an article on ?Some trees at Lincoln College? by Ruth Burns in 1984 
suggests that this tree just to the west of the Lodge was grown from seed collected by 
herself from a tree on the campus of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York State in 1958. The 
tree is a medium sized deciduous maple. Ruth Burns notes its autumn colouring tends 
towards the golden tones of the sugar maple spectrum rather than red. Sugar maple is a 
medium to large sized tree capable of growing to 30 metres or more, although this particular 
tree is well under half that height after nearly fifty years. Sugar maples have large leaves 
deeply and palmately lobed, arranged in opposite pairs at each node. The leaves colour up 
in the autumn like most other maples. It has a smooth light grey ? brown trunk that becomes 
fissured as it ages. Sugar maples originate from Eastern North America and are tapped for 
maple syrup in spring. Sugar maples are also a valuable timber source in North America. 
The leaf lamina shape is symbolised on the Canadian flag. 
 
 
 west, south Lodge 
 
 
 simple, opposite, lobed leaves 
Acer saccharinum and Acer saccharinum ?Laciniatum?  (silver maple) 
 
Acer saccharinum ?Laciniatum? is an upright growing deciduous tree at the south end of 
Hilgendorf wing. It is a medium to large tree, this particular example with an inherently weak 
branching structure. This tree was used as a subject to demonstrate flexible bracing on at a 
Tree Maintenance Block Course held at Lincoln in 1978. Unfortunately the bracing work 
failed due to the tree making significantly more height subsequently than was expected at 
the time. Branch failure occurred at or near the height of the bracing work done some years 
later. This tree still needs remedial work to make it safe despite earlier failures. Silver maples 
are known for their susceptibility to damage in gale force winds. Silver maples are fast 
growing species from eastern and central parts of the USA and Canada. They are best on 
good moisture retentive soils with some shelter from the worst winds. They have simple 
deeply palmately lobed leaves, each lobe itself being sharply lobed or toothed. The leaves 
are arranged opposite each other in pairs at each node and are about 15cm long and wide. 
The leaves have a silvery white colour beneath and are a dull green above, petioles are 
often reddish and approximately 5cm in length. The leaves colour up to yellow shades in the 
autumn. The species Acer saccharinum can be seen growing between Centennial Hall 
buildings, this tree is in good condition and was planted in the early 1980?s.  
 
 Hilgendorf south 
 
 Centennial Halls area 
Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala   (Amur maple) 
 
This is a small deciduous tree, there are two examples on campus, the oldest was on the 
north side of Lincoln Property Services in Farm Road. (Chopped out mid 2007 to tidy the 
area?) This tree is quite small for its age and may be due to competition from other plants 
such as periwinkle which was at its base for many years and the hot dry nature of the site. 
That tree was over forty years, although I have no knowledge of when it was originally 
planted. The remaining tree is only a few years old and is at the southern end on the east 
side of the west wing of Hudson Hall. The Amur maple is expected to grow to about six 
metres only. The tree is one of the earliest species on campus to come into leaf usually 
about July and has good autumn foliage. The leaves are opposite and simple with three 
lobes, the terminal lobe is usually much larger than the two at the base. The lamina is up to 
8cm long by 7cm across with a slender red petiole up to 35mm or so. The main veins are 
obvious, especially beneath. The surface of the lamina is glabrous, shiny above and paler 
below. The margins are irregularly serrate. Young twigs are reddish, turning light brown as 
they age. Small cream flowers appear in upright panicles in late spring, followed by paired, 
almost parallel winged samaras. The Amur maple is a native of middle and Northern China, 
Manchuria, Japan, Korea and USSR. 
 
 
simple, opposite, 3 lobed leaves 
Aesculus x carnea ?Briotii?  (red horse chestnut) 
 
There are two examples of the red horse chestnut at the south end of Hudson Hall and are 
in flower from mid October through to about mid November or a little later. The flowers are 
produced in terminal panicles of about 25cm long by 13cm across. The flowers are a bright 
pink-red, about 40mm long including style and exserted stamens, the inside of the petals are 
variously stained yellow or orange and somewhat freckled pink and white. The peduncle and 
pedicels are red over some green and bloomy. The fruit is a leathery capsule with few 
spikes, often smooth. The leaves are opposite at each node, palmately compound with 
green sometimes overlain with some red petioles up to 20cm on large leaves. The leaflets 
are sessile, but stained red at the base on the upper surface. The leaflets are generally 
obovate to elliptic, with finely serrate margins with the central leaflet on large leaves to 23cm 
or so long by 12cm across. Red horse chestnut trees can be distinguished from the horse 
chestnut by its crimson - red flowers and fruiting capsules which are often almost smooth. 
The red horse chestnut has a broader dome shaped crown compared with the larger, more 
upright horse chestnut tree. The red horse chestnut is a garden hybrid between Aesculus 
hippocastanum (Greece, Albania) and Aesculus pavia (S.E. USA). The cultivar ?Briotii? is an 
improved selection of the hybrid cross. 
 
 south of Hudson 
 
 smooth fruit and palmately compound leaves 
 
 flowering inflorescence mid to late spring 
Aesculus hippocastanum   (horse chestnut) 
 
This example is growing to the north of the Commerce Building about mid-way, it is native to 
Greece and Albania. The tree is upright with a rounded form and recognisable with its large 
deciduous, palmately compound leaves of five to seven leaflets. The leaves are opposite at 
each node, the leaves have an overall wrinkled appearance compared to the other species 
on campus and tend to have no gloss on the upper leaf surface. The leaves are a medium 
green above and paler below with clearly obvious pinnate venation. The leaflets are sessile 
on yellow-green petioles up to 20cm, with the central leaflet up to 25cm long by 10cm 
across. The margins are doubly serrate to crenate. In October and into early November 
horse chestnuts produce many white flowers with a reddish centre on spire like stems at the 
ends of the branches. Flowering occurs in terminal panicles of about 20-30cm long, by about 
10cm across. Individual flowers are about 25mm with exserted stamens. Following flowering, 
spiny fruiting capsules are produced, usually containing one to three large shiny brown 
seeds (conkers). These seeds are not edible and should not be confused with sweet 
chestnuts which are. (The edible sweet chestnut tree Castanea sativa can be distinguished 
from the horse chestnut by its simple toothed (not palmately compound leaves).  
 
 rounded form  
 flowers and palmately compound leaves 
 prickly fruit 
Aesculus indica   (Indian horse chestnut) 
 
This is a large round headed deciduous tree that is in full flower in early November. The 
flowers are in terminal panicles of up to 30cm, the peduncle being about one third of that 
length. Individual flowers are about 30mm long with long exserted stamens. The flowers are 
mainly a soft lilac-pink to white with some strong yellow, orange and red. This species is in 
full flowers as the common horse chestnut is nearly finished, both have similar flower 
colours. Fruit is a leathery sub globose capsule to about 6cm across. The opposite leaves of 
the Indian horse chestnut are palmately compound on reddish petioles of about 10-18cm 
and thickened at the base, the petiolules are also red above and up to 15mm or so. There 
are five to seven leaflets mostly narrowly obovate to 30cm long by about 8-10cm across at 
the widest point. Leaflets are somewhat glossy above and paler below, appearing slightly 
glaucous, pinnate venation is clearly evident on both surfaces. The margins of the leaflets 
are finely serrate. This tree is seen near the boiler chimney at Lincoln Property Services, 
midway on south side of Farm Road. It has reasonably good autumn colour. Aesculus indica 
is a native of the North eastern Himalayan region. 
 
 
 south side of Lincoln Property Services on Farm Road 
 
 
 flowering inflorescences and palmately compound leaves 
Agathis australis   (kauri) 
 
The number of kauri on campus increased greatly in 2004 with the planting of about twenty 
kauri trees on the lawn between Memorial Hall, Forbes and the Refectory to commemorate 
the 125
th
 Anniversay of Lincoln University. The oldest kauri on campus is at the western 
entrance to Gillespie Hall from Calder Drive. This tree was probably planted in the late 
1950?s or early 1960 period. It is in amongst a number of other New Zealand native plants in 
that area including rimu, totara, kahikatea, beech, kowhai and others. A second kauri now 
about four metres in height was planted in the early 1990?s as part of a collection of 
Gymnosperm families in the Amenity area, this tree was donated by the Grounds supervisor 
at Landcare. This tree had very a small amount of fibrous roots and the remains of a tap root 
when transplanted, but with some surprise and low staking this tree has managed to 
establish well and is now making rapid growth. The kauri at Lincoln have all been subject to 
some very significant frosts and are clearly hardy to minus 10°C. Kauri trees are evergreen 
with a columnar or fastigiate form, ultimately becoming very large trees. The leaves are 
thick, leathery, lanceolate to oblong and alternate to sub oppositely arranged, with entire 
margins. Juvenile leaves are up to 10cm long, adult leaves are less than half, leaves are 
sessile and dull green to olive green in colour. Female cones are globose a bit larger than a 
golf ball in size and dull green, male cones are cylindrical and up to 4cm long. As kauri grow 
larger they tend to shed the lower branches, any wounds made to branches or the trunk 
exude a milky white resin. 
 
 columnar form of the tree in the Amenity area 
 
 globose female cone and leaves 
  
kauris and carex amongst more formal exotic trees on the lawn south of Forbes, planted 
2005 
Agonis juniperina ?Florists Star? 
 
This tree was planted by the Grounds Department in April 2004 in the courtyard between 
Memorial Hall and the Library. This tree was planted to replace an old example of the 
species in the south east corner that was in a state of decay. The new replacement tree is in 
the south west corner. It is a fast growing tree from the Myrtaceae family. It is an evergreen 
tree, native to western Australia and can be expected to grow to 10-12 metres or so in 
height. It is an upright growing tree with simple leaves of about 10mm or so by 1mm. 
Flowers are small and white produced in large quantities, clustered towards the tips, 
followed by small capsules. 
 
 
 Flowers seem to be always present over the growing season 
 
 
 a fast open growing tree in the s.w. corner of the courtyard between Ivey and Memorial Hall 
Ailanthus altissima   (tree of heaven) 
 
This is a large rounded broad spreading exotic deciduous tree seen in the lawn opposite the 
north western corner of Hudson Hall. This tree has given rise to some other trees after some 
mechanical weeding was carried out in the 1980?s in the western border opposite Hudson 
Hall. This clearly affected the root system which responded by producing some very rapid 
growing suckers some considerable distance from the drip line of the tree. This tree while 
very handsome should be regarded with caution and lawn planting, well away from any 
borders would be a sensible way of preventing suckering. This tree is a native of Northern 
China. It has large alternately arranged pinnately compound leaves. The leaves can easily 
be up to 60cm long, with about 13 to 30 leaflets, each to 12cm long by 5cm across on 
petiolules up to 15mm long. Each leaflet usually has a few teeth at the base with a gland. A 
second example can be seen in the Centennial Halls area, it was planted in the mid 1980?s. 
 
 tree on Hudson lawn, western side, toward the northern end  
 
 pinnately compound leaves below 
 
 leaflets with glands at the base 
Albizia julibrissin  (silk tree) 
 
Small to medium sized deciduous tree with bipinnately compound leaves and showy 
inflorescences made up of lots of tiny flowers with long showy stamens. Courtyard on east 
side of Hilgendorf wing near lecture room one. The silk tree is somewhat dome shaped and 
spreading. Flowers are seen over the summer. 
 
 Flowering finished by mid March 
 
 
Bipinnately compound leaves 
 
Alectryon excelsus   (titoki) 
 
Titoki is a small to medium sized evergreen New Zealand native tree. It is marginally hardy 
at Lincoln, but can be grown amongst other trees that provide some overhead protection 
from frosts or against a warm wall quite successfully. The largest titoki currently on campus 
is on the east facing wall of the Winery, adjacent to the Horticultual Teaching laboratory 
toward the western end of Farm Road, this was planted in the early 1980?s. Others have 
been planted since at the Amenity area (early 1990?s) and in the native plantings south of 
Gillespie Hall in the early 2000?s. Titoki have alternately arranged pinnately compound 
leaves that are approximately 30cm long. The leaves are unevenly pinnate with around 
eleven leaflets, each of the leaflets have a short petiolule of up to 10mm. Branchlets, 
petioles, rachis, petiolules and the midrib of the leaflets are usually pubescent. Leaflets are 
about 11cm long by 3cm across, narrowly ovate to lanceolate with entire or serrate margins. 
Flowers are bisexual or unisexual, small in branched panicles to 30cm long from October to 
December. The fruit is a brown woody capsule that ripens to reveal a black seed partly 
encased by a scarlet fleshy red aril. Titoki and the native ake-ake (Dodonaea viscosa) also 
found on campus are both in the Sapindaceae family. Titoki grows naturally in lowland forest 
in both the North and South Islands from North Cape as far south as Banks Peninsula in the 
east and further south in the west. 
 
 east facing wall of the Winery 
 
 alternate, pinnately compound leaves 
Alnus glutinosa   (common alder, alder) 
 
Alders are commonly planted along river banks and in wetter areas, originating from Europe, 
Siberia and North Africa. There are a number of isolated alders dotted around the campus, 
most no more than 10m or so. Alders are deciduous broad leafed trees with rounded tops, 
capable of growing to 30m or more, although I suspect the drier soils around Lincoln 
possibly limit this potential. Alders are nitrogen fixing trees and capable of growing in poor 
soils. They generally appear better in groups and are not particularly suitable as individual 
specimen trees. Flowers are small and lack petals, with male and female flowers in different 
catkins on the same tree. The male flowering catkins are pendulous and up to 10cm, while 
the female flowers are reddish and more or less inconspicuous. Flowering occurs in early 
spring. Soon after greenish cone shaped fruits appear, often with large numbers of previous 
years old dark brown cone like remains. These can persist on the tree for a long time. The 
leaves are broadly rounded to obovate with seven pairs of white veins. The leaves are 
generally a dark, dull green colour, with little if any autumn colour before falling in late 
autumn. Examples of this species can be seen on the eastern side of Forbes and in the 
border north of the Lodge. 
 
 tree in border between the Lodge and Hilgendorf 
 
  
staminate catkins and female cone-like fruits, simple, alternately arranged leaves 
Amelanchier canadensis  (shad bush) 
 
This is a small to medium sized deciduous tree. It has simple, alternately arranged leaves 
with white flowers in simple racemes terminating the shoots in spring, followed by fleshy 
pomes in autumn. This is a good autumn foliage tree suited to small gardens. The species 
can be seen in the western border opposite Hudson Hall, in the Amenity area and near 
Centennial Halls. 
 
  
small round shaped deciduous tree in border opposite Hudson to Calder Drive carpark 
 
 autumn colour 
Amomyrtus luma  (Palomadrona) 
 
This evergreen species belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is native of Chile and 
Argentina. This example is from seed from the tree in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, it is 
growing in the Amenity area to the south west of the pond. It produces large clear white 
flowers, dark shiny green leaves and has attractive bark. It has all the hallmarks of a good 
ornamental small garden tree. 
 
 attractive bark, crown needs lifting to display bark 
 
 clean white flowers and dark glossy green leaves 
Arbutus menziesii   (madrona) 
 
This is a fast growing relative of the more common Irish strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) 
which is also growing in a number of sites on campus. This particular tree is located in the 
Amenity area at the western end of Farm Road, it is a seedling Dieter Steinegg gave me in 
1995 from the very large madrona that was originally growing near the Edward Albert oak in 
the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. This tree has grown exceedingly well in the Amenity area 
and within eleven years is about seven metres in height. It is an attractive tree with a 
rounded form at maturity. It has large alternately arranged, simple leaves, they are elliptic to 
elliptic ? ovate to about 15cm in length and 7cm across, with petioles to about 3cm. Leaves 
are dark green above and glaucous below, margins are entire. The tree is in full flower by 
mid October and is covered in small white bell shaped flowers, much like those of the lily of 
the valley shrub (Pieris japonica). Flowers are arranged in erect terminal panicles, each 
flower is urn shaped, white, about 6-7mm long. The other feature of this species is the 
flaking cinnamon coloured bark on the younger branches. This tree is relatively rare in 
Canterbury and this particular tree looks like it could become the best example of any of 
those others I am aware of. This tree is the only example of this species on campus. 
 
 madrona in west Amenity area 
 
 lily of the valley shrub like flowers 
Arbutus unedo   (Irish strawberry tree) 
 
This is a much more common tree than the madrona in Canterbury. It is a spreading tree of 
small to medium size, it is evergreen and hardy to wind and coastal conditions. It has small 
white bell shaped flowers followed by strawberry like fruits ripening from green to yellow 
orange and red shades. When fully ripe the fruit is edible and can be quite sweet, although 
has a somewhat doughy texture, mixed with some grit cells. This tree can be found to the 
extreme north of Hudson Hall, to the south of the Horticultural Teaching Lab and opposite 
the extreme east end of Farm Road, Springs road near Gate 3 etc. 
 
 
 north of Hudson on Ellesmere Junction Rd 
 
 
 simple leathery leaves, flowers and fleshy fruits. 
Aristotelia serrata  (makomako or wineberry) 
 
This is a small New Zealand native tree or large shrub that has white to deep pink flowers 
from late October and during November at Lincoln. This tree is on the southern access drive 
to the Nursery on Farm Road. There are a number of other examples on campus including 
the Amenity area, the Dairy Farm car park and the western side of the Nursery on Farm 
Road. 
 
 tree Farm Road by Nursery 
 
 
 flowers late spring and simple, alternately arranged leaves 
 
Athrotaxis cupressoides   (smooth Tasmanian cedar) 
 
This tree was a donation from Max Visch member of the Friends of the Christchurch Botanic 
Gardens. It is a member of the Cupressaceae family and was planted in the Amenity area in 
May 1996. The leaves are opposite and scale like with an overall yellowish-bronze colour. 
The expected height of this species is around 16 metres. This tree is looking very poor 
having suffered over the summer of 2007 and 2008. I am not sure what the problem with the 
tree is although the magnolias and a number of other trees in the Amenity area have been 
badly affected by the unfortunate use by the Grounds Department of Tordon Gold to kill 
weeds in the area.  
 
 yellowish green appearance, scale like leaves 
 
 female cones 
 
Azara microphylla   (vanilla tree) 
 
These are small upright growing evergreen trees from Chile and Argentina. These particular 
trees were planted on the west side of the pond in the Amenity area in June 1990. Others 
have been seen in different places on campus. Some may remember the beautiful vanilla 
fragrance of the trees planted to the western side of the Commerce Building. These were 
removed because of the roots interfering with underground services some years ago. There 
is another example near the southern entrance to Stewart Building, south of Lincoln 
Ventures workshop and in the western border opposite Hudson. The trees are normally no 
more than 6 or 7 metres in height and are really only noticed around October when they are 
covered in tiny yellow flowers that are deliciously fragrant.  
 
 small glossy green leaves 
 
  
upright, some what straggly growth form
Betula papyrifera   (canoe birch paper-bark birch)  
There are a number of these birch planted on campus, although the majority now appear to 
be in the Betula border on the north side of Ellesmere Junction opposite the north end of 
Hudson. The paper-bark birch trees have been planted alternately with silver birch trees. 
The paper-bark birch has larger leaves than silver birch and bark that can be peeled off in 
horizontal strips (although it should not be as this clearly damages the tree). Silver birch 
trunks have more chunky bark deeply fissured and marked with black diamond shapes as 
they get older. Betula spp. are monoecious, medium to large, fast growing deciduous trees
 
 old trunk of paper-bark birch in the Betula border 
 
 trunk of silver birch 
 
  
leaves of silver birch are smaller than paper-bark birch ? note the staminate catkins 
Betula pendula ?Dalecarlica?   (Swedish birch, cut leafed birch) 
 
This tree is an elegant form of the common silver birch (west Library). It has weeping branch 
tips, dissected leaves and a narrow, upright form. There are many other Betula species on 
campus, the most common being the silver birch, apparently promoted by the Landscape 
Architects at Lincoln in the 1960?s for group planting in three?s. A group of three silver birch 
still exist in front of Memorial Hall. The Betula Border (north side of Ellesmere Junction Road 
opposite Lincoln University) was named for the large numbers of silver birch and paper bark 
birches planted around 1960. Betula are medium sized deciduous trees with attractive bark 
and good autumn foliage. Separate male and female catkins are produced in spring and 
according to Professor Spellerburg, silver birch are responsible for pollen allergies suffered by 
some of the general population. He has also made representations to various councils around 
New Zealand to have silver birch trees removed from all public places. There are many other 
Betula on campus such as the weeping form Betula pendula ?Youngii? (midway Betula Border) 
and Betula ermanii with superb trunk markings (north side McCaskill building) and Betula utilis 
in the Amenity area. There is a collection of Betula species (southern end of Orchard carpark 
planted 1990?s). 
 
 Betula pendula - clump of 3 planted in early 70?s.  N. Memorial Hall 
 
 Betula pendula ?Dalecarlica? west of Memorial Hall 
 
 Betula pendula ?Youngii? - Betula Border 
  
Betula ermanii  -  north of the recently demolished McCaskill building 
 
  
Betula utilis  - west of the pond in the Amenity area 
Betula pendula, Betula pendula ?Youngii? and Betula pendula ?Purpurea? and possibly others 
under planted with Hedera canariensis. This was a planting designed by Michael Cole a 
landscape architect in the then Department of Horticulture, Landscape and Parks around 
about 1980. 
 
 
The Grounds feel this is easy to maintain and the trees allow light into the lower offices in the 
winter 
 
The scale of the trees is appropriate in relation to the size of the building here. 
Broussonetia papyrifera   (aute or paper mulberry) 
 
Paper mulberry is a small deciduous tree that suckers prolifically and spreads as a 
consequence. The species originates from Japan and China. This tree is of interest as it was 
first introduced to New Zealand by the Maori and was identified by Banks and Solander from 
six plants growing in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, on Cook?s first voyage in 1769. Paper 
mulberry was apparently used as a source of tapa cloth in Samoa, Tonga and other parts of 
Polynesia. By 1880 it was reported by Colenso that no aute was now growing anywhere in 
New Zealand. It appears as though the plants? hardiness capabilities were lost as plants 
were transported from island to island throughout the Pacific over a great many years. The 
tree that this species is from was introduced into New Zealand by the DSIR at Lincoln, the 
seed coming from China. This selection of paper mulberry appears perfectly hardy at Lincoln 
University, leaves colour up to yellow shades in the autumn before falling. The leaves are 
large, alternate and hairy, the tree does not appear to grow more than five or so metres in 
height in cultivation. The success of the Lincoln plants emphasizes the values of selecting 
the right provenance (in this case cold tolerant material) suitable for New Zealand conditions. 
 
 
Aute or paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is the deciduous tree on the left above 
growing on the extreme east of the New Zealand native plants collection. 
Calliandra portoricensis   (snow flake wattle) 
 
This is a small evergreen tree or shrub on the eastern side of the entranceway into the 
library. It is a legume belonging to the Mimosoideae. The snowflake wattle is one of about 
200 species of Calliandra, most are shrubs or small trees of tropical and subtropical regions. 
Calliandra portoricensis is a native of Southern Mexico to Panama and the West Indies. The 
snowflake wattle is not particularly common in Canterbury, it grows well in this site because 
it is against a warm north facing wall that traps heat during the day and reradiates it at night. 
Similarly a number of other plants along this wall have been selected because of this 
microclimate. Most are also suited to drier soils. The snowflake wattle has alternately 
arranged, bipinnately compound leaves with 2-7 pair of pinnae and numerous linear pinnules 
arranged opposite each other on rachides. The stems, petioles and rachis are covered in 
fine hairs. Flowers are produced in globose heads on long peduncles from the leaf axils in 
summer. The flowers are white and mainly showy because of the mass of long stamens that 
hide the tiny petals and sepals within. There was a much smaller Calliandra tweedii growing 
on the other side of the main entrance, this had bright scarlet flowers, but this was removed 
many years ago. 
 
 
 upright habit of the snow flake wattle, east of the main entrance to the Libraray 
 
 
 pinnately complound leaves and the showy stamens of the flowering inflorescences. 
Callitris oblonga   (Tasmanian cypress pine) 
 
There were two examples of this species, the oldest one on Farm Road outside the old 
grounds office (Now part of the cricket grounds staff). This tree was cut out for some reason 
in 2002. The second example was planted amongst the collection of Cupressaceae in the 
Amenity area in August 1995. This tree was a donation from Max Visch, a member of the 
Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. This evergreen species is a native of 
Tasmania and has tiny scale like leaves and valvate shaped cones. It does not appear to 
grow particularly fast. 
 
 valvate opening female cones of the tree that was in Farm Road 
 
 tree in the Amenity area amongst members of the Cupressaceae 
 
 scale like leaves and young male cones 
Calocedrus decurrens   (incense cedar) 
 
There are two examples of this species on campus. The older of the two is opposite the 
eastern end of Farm Road. This tree has been disfigured too keep it clear of lines. I estimate 
it to be around fifty years old. The other tree was planted in May 1990 in the Amenity area 
amongst the Cupressaceae family collection. 
 
 Springs Road opposite the end of Farm Road 
 
 scale like leaves 
 
 bark 
Carpinus betulus   (hornbeam, European hornbeam, common hornbeam) 
 
Hornbeam is a medium sized deciduous tree with a broad crown at maturity that can be 
variable from broad conic to pyramidal particularly when younger. It has a moderate growth 
rate, numerous ascending branches and a densely branched crown. Carpinus betulus is a 
native of Europe and Asia Minor, it is sometimes used for hedging, tolerating clipping well, 
but is more likely used as a specimen tree. There is a formal hedge of this species between 
Hilgendorf and Burns wing. Hornbeams have alternately arranged simple leaves up to about 
10cm long and 3 to 4cm wide, with a petiole of about 1cm. The leaves are sharply toothed at 
each vein end and have minor serrations between. The leaves have very clear primary 
pinnate venation above and below and are glabrous, except when leaves are very young. 
The leaves are darker above. Hornbeams are monoecious with separate male and female 
catkins produced in the spring. Seeds are produced and hang in clusters of green bracts 
seen in mid spring that ripen to yellowish brown over the summer. The leaves colour up to 
shades of brown before falling in the autumn. 
 
 tree north of Memorial Hall 
 simple, alternately arranged leaves 
 hedge in Burns / Hilgendorf courtyard 
Carpodetus serratus   (putaputaweta, marble leaf) 
 
This is a small endemic evergreen New Zealand native tree. It is found growing naturally 
throughout much of New Zealand in lowland and montane forests. The leaves are simple 
and alternately arranged on the stems, they vary in size between adult and juvenile forms. 
The juvenile form has slender divaricating branches and broad ovate to orbicular leaves 1-
3cm long and to 2cm across with 10mm petioles. Adult leaves are 5 - 9cm long and 4cm or 
so wide with petioles up to 10mm. The lamina is ovate to broadly elliptic with coarsely 
serrate margins. The lamina has a distinctly marbled appearance, mostly glabrous except for 
the midrib. Flowers appear during the summer, they are small (about 5mm), white and 
clustered in panicles about 5cm across. The ripe fruit is a small black capsule. There are a 
few examples of this species on campus, possibly the largest is in the Amenity area at the 
western end of Farm Road, on the western side of the pond. This was planted in 1990, a 
second example is to the south of the Library, planted in 1994. 
 
 
 simple, alternate leaves and fruiting capsules 
 
 tree on west side of pond in Amenity area 
Casuarina cunninghamiana   (river she?oak, she-oak) 
 
The she-oak is a relatively fast growing tree with a somewhat rounded form, the main 
branches ascend quite strongly, in many respects it has the general appearance of a pine 
tree. It is not a conifer however, but is a flowering, evergreen tree species native to the 
eastern parts of Australia. The she-oak has tiny, triangular scale like leaves arranged in 
whorls of seven to nine around the thin green stems at each node. Superficially the stems 
are often mistaken for pine needles or similar by students until the arrangement is studied 
more closely. The tree produces clusters of small crimson male flowers, usually between 
July and September, and clusters of female flowers subtended by woody bracts. The fruit 
that forms are samaras of individual flowers with enlarged woody bracteoles that appear like 
a small woody cone, erroneously reinforcing to the uninitiated that this is some sort of 
conifer. The flowers need to be looked at closely on the branches or are likely to be missed, 
despite the crimson colour. The she-oak is a useful shelter tree, it is hardy at Lincoln and is 
commonly used for horticultural shelter belts in parts of the North Island. It is quite hardy in 
coastal areas as well. It is a good tree for testing students? knowledge of Angiosperms and 
Gymnosperms. 
 tree at the south east end of Commerce building 
 crimson flowers 
 fruit is a cone like aggregation of follicles 
Catalpa bignonioides   (Indian bean tree) 
 
This tree originates from S.E. USA and is seen midway on the eastern side of the Stewart 
Building. It is a deciduous tree and has a broad dome shaped spreading form, appears wider 
than high and after flowering in the late summer produces long bean like pendulous 
capsules of up to 40cm in length. This tree was shifted about the same time as the tupelo 
(Nyssa sylvatica ) from south of the Lodge when the Commerce Building was built. Since 
shifting, this tree has grown extremely well in this site where it is sheltered from most winds. 
Other specimens of this tree can be found, such as the one near the carpark to the west of 
Forbes Building. (On second look this tree may be a yellow leaved cultivar ?Aurea?). There is 
another example on the eastern side of Forbes which is crowded amongst other trees and 
not a particularly good specimen either. The Indian bean tree produces large soft leaves and 
others with similar leaves such as the Imperial tree of China (Paulownia tomentosa) only do 
well at Lincoln and other parts of Canterbury with good wind shelter. The leaves are very soft 
and hairy when young, often a bronze ? purple colour at first, the hair disappears except for 
some below as the leaves age and become green. The alternately arranged, broadly ovate 
leaves can be 25cm by 20cm and the flowers produced in mid summer are arranged in 
broad panicles, similar in some respects to those of horse chestnuts. Flowers are white with 
yellow and purple. 
 
 south east entrance to Stewart Building 
 summer flowering 
 winter capsules (Photo D. Hollander) 
Catalpa bignonioides ?Aurea?   (Indian bean tree) 
 
This tree is on the south side of the western car park of Forbes. 
 
 west of Forbes 
 
  
yellow leaves, otherwise same as for species 
Cedrus deodara   (deodar cedar, Himalayan cedar) 
 
Cedrus deodara is a large conical evergreen conifer from the Western Himalayas and 
Afghanistan. It is a good hardy tree tolerant of the vagaries of the Canterbury climate, 
surviving where many other species have succumbed in drought or snow. It has a 
reasonable rate of growth and is widely used as a shelter tree and is suitable for parks or 
large gardens. The deodar cedar is easily recognised by its pyramidal to conical form and it 
pendulous branch tips. Deodar cedars have needle like leaves borne singly in long (young) 
shoots spiralling around the axis, on short (older) shoots the needles are compressed into 
clumps of around twenty. Needles are a grey-green colour and about 4cm long. Deodar 
cedars are monoecious, separate male and female cones develop at the tips of the short 
shoots on the same plant. Male cones are seen in autumn, about 8-9cm in length, purple 
and later yellowish. Female cones are barrel shaped at maturity before shedding seed and 
scales. Often only the remains of the cone only may be seen as a few scales and a central 
axis. Female cones are around 10-12cm at maturity. 
 
 deodar cedar south east of Forbes 
 
 needles arranged in long and short shoots 
Cedrus libani   (Cedar of Lebanon) 
 
Sir Joseph Hooker and other authorities regarded Cedrus as one species with distinct 
geographical forms. More recently Schwartz recognizes two species only C. deodara and C. 
libanii , the latter containing two subspecies brevifolia and atlantica. Previously four species 
have been recognised suggesting some uncertainty about the taxonomy of this genus. This 
hardy, large evergreen conifer occupies one of the prime spots in the central campus being 
situated near the flagpole, between the Library and Forbes Building. It is probably between 
80 and 100 years old. It is widely known as the Cedar of Lebanon and is distinguished from 
other cedars at maturity by its vertical limbs with more or less levels branches particularly 
toward the upper reaches of the crown. (The length of the needles up to 40mm, the young 
staminate catkins are purple and slightly weeping branch tips suggest it could be Cedrus 
deodara? or possibly of hybrid origin). Younger examples of Himalayan cedar (Cedrus 
deodara) and the Atlantic or Atlas mountain cedar (Cedrus libani  ssp. atlantica), are more 
commonly seen around Lincoln and Canterbury generally as shelter trees, selected blue 
seedlings of the Atlantic cedar are often grown as specimen trees. A good example of this 
species is at the southern end of Hudson on the eastern side. In the younger state cedars 
are pyramidal, the deodar cedar is easily recognised by its weeping tips and longer needles, 
whilst the atlantic cedar has shorter needles with the tips of the branches ascending. The 
deodar cedar typically has about half the number of needles in a short shoot of that of the 
atlantic cedar. 
 
 
Cedrus libani subsp. atlantica   (blue atlantic cedar)  
 
 
 at the south west end of Burns Wing. This tree had large round river stones placed against 
the trunk when levels around the tree were lifted in order that the tree trunk can still respire. 
The same did not happen for the Irish yew on the path to the new Stewart Building and that 
tree slowly died due to raised soil levels over the roots and around the trunk. 
 
 
Male and larger barrel shaped female cones, needles in long and short shoots. The scales 
fall from the female cones when ripe releasing seed and leaves the remains of the central 
axis of the cone often seen on cedars. 
Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. drupacea   (Japanese plum yew) 
 
This tree was from a seed from the Christchurch Botanic Gardens grown by myself and 
planted out in the Amenity Area in May 1991. It is the only genus belonging to the 
Cephalotaxaceae. This is a small slow growing tree, not expected to grow more than about 5 
metres in height in cultivation and is a native of Japan, central and western China. This 
species is dioecious. The leaves are more or less arranged in an upward pointing v shape, 
they are about 25-30mm long by about 3-4mm across. The leaves have a sharply pointed 
apex and a short stalk, they are glossy green above with a raised midrib. They have 
numerous lines of stomata either side of the midrib below presenting a duller grey colour. 
Male strobili are a pale brown colour found in the axils of the leaves on the underside of the 
v formation. Female cones are drupe like, stalked, about 25mm or so (hence plum yew - 
based on the plum like appearance of the cones and the yew with leaves like those in the 
genus Taxus. 
 
 male cones on Lincoln tree 
 
  
plum like female cones on the tree at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens 
Cercis siliquastrum   (Judas tree) 
The Judas tree is a small to medium sized deciduous tree of usually less than six metres or 
so in height and spread, old trees may be more. It flowers at Lincoln from late September to 
early November. It has small cerise pink flowers that are pea shaped and in clusters of up to 
6 or so flowers on single or paired racemes in the axils on previous seasons and older wood. 
In the early stages the flowers are seen on more or less bare branches with the leaves 
gradually flushing as flowering is part way through. The flowers are strongly zygomorphic, 
about 18mm long on pedicels of up to 24mm, stamens are free. The ovary develops into a 
pod, pods are 5-10cm by about 2cm deep and flattened or compressed, containing about 12 
flattish seeds. Old pods are often seen on the tree right through winter. The leaves are 
alternately arranged, round to kidney shaped with an entire margin and cordate base and 
often with an obcordate or obtuse apex. The lamina is up to 8cm long by 10cm across on a 
petiole of about 3cm. The petioles and young stems are a red colour, as are some of the 
palmately arranged veins visible above and below. The leaf is a dull green above and slightly 
paler below. All parts of the leaf and young twigs are glabrous. An example of this tree can 
be seen on the western side of the Field Service Centre buildings toward the southern end. 
Others are west of Colombo Halls, Amenity area, Orchard carpark and the Betula border 
 
 Simple, alternately arranged leaves and mid-late spring flowers 
 
Field Service Centre west wall 
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana   (Lawson?s cypress) 
 
There are an enormous number of cultivars that have been selected as ornamental conifers 
from this particular species. The species itself is a tall forest tree that can grow more than 40 
metres high. In cultivation at Lincoln there are two groups of trees that were possibly planted 
around the 1960?s, one group can be seen at the extreme eastern end of the Betula border 
and a single tree can be seen near the car park at the western side of Forbes Building. None 
of these trees would be more than about 10m in height. The third group are at the south of 
Burns Wing were probably planted in the late 1940?s and are mixed with some Thuja plicata. 
These trees are possibly 15 or more metres high. The leaves of Chamaecyparis are 
flattened and scale like. Male cones are crimson in spring, whilst the female cones are 
globose with 6-10 scales. The trees can be seen with masses of old open cones and 
younger cones. Cultivars ?Pembury Blue?, ?Wallis Gold?, ?Ellwoodii? and the tiny dwarf ?Green 
Globe? were all planted in May 1990 and can be seen at the Amenity Area in the 
Cupressaceae family collection.  
 
 old trees south of Burns wing (possibly planted in the late 1940?s) 
 
 scale like leaves and small round cones 
 
 ?Pembury Blue? in the Amenity area (western end of Farm Rd) 
Chamaecyparis obtusa   (Hinoki cypress) 
 
Two cultivars of the Japanese Hinoki cypress were planted in the Amenity area in May 1990, 
they are ?Confucius? and the golden weeping ?Gracilis Aurea?. Both cultivars can be seen in 
the area with the Cupressaceae family collection. Other examples on campus include a 
recently planted specimen of Chamaecyparis obtusa ?Tetragona Aurea? to the north west of 
Forbes. 
 
Note the opposite scale like leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa ?Crippsii? shown below. 
  
 
Chamaecyparis obtusa ?Tetragona Aurea? to the north west of Forbes on path to Hudson 
 
Chamaecyparis pisifera ?Boulevard? 
 
There have been a number of this particular species and cultivar grown on campus, but 
there may only now be one remaining. The remaining example was planted in the Amenity 
area in May 1990. This species can be seen amongst the Cupressaceae family collection. It 
has soft scale like leaves that are a steely blue. Most examples I have seen have been no 
more than about 6m in height, but this may have been limited by the fact that most examples 
at Lincoln have tended to be cut out after only twenty years or so. The species itself is a 
forest tree and can be expected to grow to 40 metres in height. 
 
 
Chamaecyparis pisifera ?Filifera Aurea? 
 
This specimen is in Farm Road opposite the Nursery on a north facing wall of the old 
Grounds Office (now office for Cricket Grounds staff). I suspect this example is at least forty 
years old or more.  
 
  
a larger than usual example, many are grown in rock garden and often pruned. 
 
  
fine thread like branches consist of flattened scale like leaves 
Cordyline australis   ( ti kauka, cabbage tree.) 
 
This is an iconic New Zealand native species, it is not a tree in the usual sense, being a 
monocotyledon and does not develop secondary thickening to produce wood in annual 
growth rings. It is however, capable of growing to small tree like proportions and typifies the 
New Zealand landscape, probably more so than any other species. This particular cabbage 
tree is growing in the old formal garden to the north of the Commerce building and arrived as 
far as I am aware by natural means and has grown from seed, probably from a larger and 
much older cabbage close to the entrance to the pergola. Many other examples of cabbage 
trees on campus have been planted more recently with an ongoing preference for planting 
New Zealand native plants. This evergreen specimen looks much better since some of the 
shrubby plants at its base have been cleared away. Cabbage trees flower in the spring and 
summer and produce numerous small grey-white berries, consumed and seed spread by 
birds. Cabbage trees are fast growing and exhibit a completely different form as a young 
plant. In the young stages the plant produces a single stem with all of the leaves growing 
more or less erect. Over time cabbage trees usually become multi branched as shown with 
leaves shed from the trunk or often retained by specimens from cooler regions. 
 
 
flowering cabbage tree in front of the old McCaskill Building, the building was demolished in 
late 2007 to make way for the new building to house Landscape Architecture 
 
 
Cornus capitata   (strawberry tree, dogwood) 
 
There were two examples of this species on campus. One is on the north side of the path 
from the south side of Forbes to the south side of Hudson, the other in the Betula border. 
This species at Lincoln is a broad spreading small tree growing to a height of around 7-8 
metres with a spread of slightly more. The tree is evergreen and is noticed particularly when 
flowering occurs during October and November. The flowers are tiny, surrounded by large 
creamy yellow bracts. The fruit that follows is a rosy pink, somewhat resembling a strawberry 
in autumn. The leaves are simple, entire, opposite arranged, somewhat grey-green and 
about 100mm long. 
 
 small tree or large shrub to the south west of Forbes 
 
 Green fruit in late March, yet to ripen 
 
 ripe fruit in mid April attacked by birds as it ripens 
Cornus florida   (flowering dogwood) 
 
Is a deciduous tree from eastern USA. There is one example in the Amenity area on the 
western side of the pond that was planted in May 1990. It has large white bracts when it 
flowers during October and November. The leaves are mostly opposite and ovate between 
75 and 150mm long and half as wide. The leaves colour up well in the winter providing good 
autumn colour. The anticipated height for this plant at maturity will be about 8-10m. 
 
 flowers and white bracts 
 
 autumn foliage 
Cornus mas   (Cornelian cherry) 
 
There are two examples of this small deciduous tree on campus, the oldest example is on 
the south side of the path from the southern entrance of Forbes as you head toward 
Hilgendorf wing. This species has been there since at least the mid 1970?s that I am aware 
of. The second example is in the Amenity area beyond the southern side of the pond. This 
species is the earliest flowering of the Cornus species at Lincoln flowering during August, 
followed by small red cherry like fruits in autumn. The flowers are very small, enclosed by 
small yellow bracts on bare branches before the leaves appear. The leaves are about 
100mm long and ovate shaped. The species is native to Central and southern Europe and 
Western Asia. 
 
 small tree to south east of Forbes 
 
 simple, opposite leaves 
Corynocarpus laevigatus   (karaka) 
 
There are now a few examples of this species on campus. The oldest was from seed 
supplied by Pamela Gibbons and planted in the New Zealand native section in the Amenity 
area. This tree was planted in May 1990 on the western side of a red beech to get some 
protection from frost. This tree has not grown quickly, but has survived the Lincoln climate 
away from buildings and tarmac since then. The second example was planted by the 
Grounds department by the Natural Resources Engineering building with overhead shelter 
from the walkway. Neither specimen has flowered yet. Both are under two metres in height 
at this stage and are possibly growing at their climatic limits. The leaves are large and 
glossy, the species are possibly indigenous New Zealand native species or may have been 
introduced to New Zealand by the Maori. The fruit of the karaka was an important storage 
food for the Maori, but requires specialised techniques to leach out the toxins before it is 
eaten. The fruit are an orange coloured drupe. 
 
 small tree in the Amenity area 
 
 poisonous fruit 
Crataegus crus-gallii  (cockspur thorn) 
Crataegus laevigata ?Paul?s Scarlet?  
Crataegus x lavallei ?Carrieri?  (hybrid between C. stipulacea and C. crus-gallii) 
These three species of hawthorn are within spitting distance of each other at the south end 
of Hilgendorf wing and the area to the north and just west of the Lodge. They all flower 
around October each year and produce bright red / orange fleshy fruits in the summer that 
may be held well into the winter. Hawthorns are small to medium sized deciduous trees 
belonging to the Rosaceae family. Common species of hawthorn have been traditionally 
used for shelter plantings, although banned from many apple and pear orcharding areas 
because they were also hosts for fireblight. Hawthorns have simple, alternately arranged 
leaves of about 10cm or so in length, with some teeth or lobes, usually in the upper half of 
the leaf. Some hawthorns also have very prominent thorns, Crataegus crus-gallii  cockspur 
thorn is a good example with thorns up to 8cm. This tree is in amongst many other trees and 
shrubs in the border between Hilgendorf and the Lodge. Most Crataegus species have white 
flowers, Crataegus laevigata ?Paul?s Scarlet? has double pink flowers, this is an attractive 
feature of this cultivar, this tree is on its own slightly to the north and west of the Lodge. 
Crataegus x lavallei ?Carrieri? has white flowers followed by a heavy crop of orange red fruits 
well into the winter, this tree of the three is closest to the south end of Hilgendorf wing. All 
trees can be affected to some degree in the middle of summer by pear slug which causes 
significant damage to the surface of the leaves. 
 
  
Specimen n.w. of Lodge - Crataegus laevigata ?Paul?s Scarlet? 
  
flowers of Crataegus laevigata ?Paul?s Scarlet? in mid spring 
Crataegus crus-gallii   (cockspur thorn) 
 
Two examples of this tree exist on campus, one to the north east of the Lodge in the border 
opposite and a second tree was established from seed and planted in the Amenity area, just 
in case the then only tree was chopped out at some stage. This species provides a 
wonderful example of branch thorns, some thorns over 100mm long, occasionally seen with 
condensed shoots on the thorn. 
 
  
Fruit and branch thorns late summer 
 
  
tree north west of Lodge and south of Hilgendorf 
 
Crataegus x lavallei ?Carrieri? 
 
 Tree to south of Hilgendorf wing 
 
 Flowers in mid spring 
 
 
 Followed by orange-scarlet red fruits held well into late autumn and early winter. 
Cryptomeria japonica   (Japanese cedar) 
 
This species can be seen in the Amenity area at the extreme northern end in the 
Taxodiaceae family. It is an evergreen conifer that is a large forest tree capable of growing to 
30 metres or more at maturity. This tree was planted in September 1992. It is a monoecious 
species with both male and female cones produced on the same tree. The round female 
cones are brown at maturity and 2-3cm across. The male cones are much smaller. Leaves 
are spirally arranged, point forward and are curved inward. Leaves are approximately 8-
12mm long. There are many dwarf conifers that have been selected and are in cultivation 
from this species. There were some examples of the cultivar ?Elegantissima? on campus, but 
these all have gradually been chopped out. 
 tree at the northern end of the Amenity area 
 
 male and female cones 
Cunninghamia lanceolata   (Chinese fir) 
 
This specimen was planted in the Amenity area in September 1992. It is part of the 
Gymnosperm collection and is in the Taxodiaceae family at the extreme northen part of the 
Amenity area. This evergreen coniferous tree is native to central and southern parts of 
China. It can be expected to grow to 20 or more metres. Unfortunately this specimen has 
developed a double leader and needs some attention to correct this fault. This is the only 
example of this species on campus. This species is monoecious producing both male and 
female strobili on the same tree. The leaves are spirally arranged and more or less 
lanceolate in shape. Leaves are up to 70mm or so by 5 or more mm across. Leaves are 
spirally arranged, leathery and glossy green. Female cones are more or less round 
terminating the shoots, they mature to a brown colour. Male cones are both terminal on 
young shoots and later axillary as the shoots grow. 
 
 tree at n end of Amenity area in Taxodiaceae collection 
 
  
female cone and spirally arranged lanceolate leaves 
Cupressus lusitanica   (Cedar of Goa, lusitanica cypress, Mexican cedar) 
 
This species can be seen east of the round garden between the Lodge and the Library. 
Cupressus lusitanica is a close relative of the more common macrocarpa (Cupressus 
macrocarpa). It is a tree with a variable habit and has brown bark with longitudinal fissures. 
The leaves are small and scale like with free spreading acute tips and only have a faint 
resinous aroma when crushed. Female cones when young have a blue ? grey bloom which 
in some cones changes to a glossy purple-olive-brown with maturity, cones are more or less 
round, approximately 15mm across and each scale has a small projection. There are six to 
eight scales per cone, where there are eight scales to top two scales have almost vertical, 
sharp pointed umbos, the lower ones are less prominent and more decurved. The male 
cones are a deep bronze colour, finger shaped terminating young shoot and about 5mm 
long. Cupressus lusitanica is native to Central America and Mexico. The common name 
Cedar of Goa sometimes used for this species, like many other common names is quite 
misleading as this species of tree is neither from Portugal, nor is it a true cedar. This 
particular tree is competing with the New Zealand native climber - Muehlenbeckia australis 
that has found a place to grow and is now actively climbing through it. English ivy (Hedera 
helix is covering much of the trunk. Both climbing plants have been controlled to some extent 
by the grounds department staff in the past. Both climbers, if uncontrolled, will affect the form 
and health of this tree. 
 
 tree east of the Library and west of the Lodge 
 
 cones and scale like leaves see next page 
  
Muehlenbeckia australis a native climber is seriously threatening the Cupressus lusitanica 
(Cedar of Goa) east of the Library, it is also threatened to a lesser extent by ivy Hedera 
helix. 
 
 
Cupressus lusitanica partially covered by climbing plants particularly on the eastern side of 
the tree 
Cupressus macrocarpa   (macrocarpa, Monterey cypress) 
 
This is a well known evergreen tree throughout much of New Zealand. There are a number 
of examples of macrocarpa on campus. There is a well established hedge just to the west of 
Centennial Halls on Farm Road, there are also two very old and very large trees just off 
Calder Drive on the north eastern corner of Hudson car park. There is a very large hedge to 
the north of the Betula border and some old examples east of Burns Wing.Without any 
evidence I suspect these trees are probably over 100 years old and are generally safe from 
any likely development where they are situated. Some old macrocarpa develop trunks with a 
lot of character, there is a very good example of this in the a tree to the south east of the 
Cunningham House in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Macrocarpa have tiny scale like 
leaves that emit a lemon scent when crushed. The species is monoecious with both male 
and female strobili (cones) on the same tree. The female cones of macrocarpa are globose 
to broadly ellipsoid in shape, usually between 25 and 40mm long and broad, each scale 
having a prominent thorn in the middle. 
 
 scale like leaves and round ? egg shaped female cones 
 
 tree to the east of Burns wing 
 
 hedge north of the Betula border (midway) 
Cupressus sempervirens f. sempervirens   (Italian cypress) 
 
There are several examples of this species and cultivars around the Lincoln campus. The 
three main cultivars now on campus are Cupressus sempervirens ?Swaines Gold? (in some 
publications the cultivar is listed as ?Swane?s Golden?) and Cupressus sempervirens ?Gracilis? 
and ?Stricta?. Many Italian cypresses are fastigiate or pencil shaped trees, there are also 
broadly spreading crown forms (forma horizontalis ? not on campus). All of the trees grown 
at Lincoln of this species are of the pencil shaped type categorised as forma sempervirens. 
?Swaines Gold? is as the cultivar name implies a golden colour. This can be seen to the west 
of Lincoln Ventures and to the north west of Forbes. The specimen planted in the Amenity 
area was purchased as ?Gracilis Stricta?, although it is likely to be ?Gracilis?. According to 
Julie Grace (1988) ?Gracilis? is a New Zealand raised cultivar with fine threadlike foliage.T he 
specimen in the Amenity area was planted in May 1990. The specimen below Cupressus 
sempervirens f. sempervirens has coarser foliage and is probably cultivar ?Stricta? is to the 
east of Hudson Hall at the northern end. 
 
 Italian cypress east of Hudson ? north end 
 
 female cones and scale leaves 
Cupressus sempervirens ?Swaines Gold? (syn. ?Swanes Gold?) 
 
There are examples of this cultivar near the water tower close to the main entrance from the 
east to the Recreation Centre. 
 
 
north of Water Tower to Recreation Centre from Calder Drive 
Cupressus torulosa   (Bhutan cypress, Himalayan cypress) 
 
This species is an evergreen conifer growing to the east of the Lodge and north of the 
Commerce building towards the eastern end in what was originally a wet site, but is much 
drier now for most of the time. It is a large and handsome tree with a fresh grassy, yellow- 
green colour in the sunlight. It is a native of Western Himalaya and Western China. It is a 
densely foliated tree, with a nice tidy upright conical habit and rounded top. It has bark that is 
thick, brown-grey in narrow strips that are more or less vertically arranged. It can be seen 
peeling on some of the lower branches. It has small greenish yellow scale like leaves 
arranged in opposite pairs and flattened against the stems, when crushed they have a 
grassy scent. Female cones are mostly or spherical or sometimes ellipsoid shaped on a 
short stalk and about 20mm in diameter. They are green to begin with, later becoming a 
grey-brown with curved points in the centre of each cone scale. There are usually eight 
scales arranged in more or less opposite pairs. The male cones are a light creamy yellow 
colour, finger shaped and 8-10mm long, each terminating a young shoot in late winter and 
spring. 
 
 tree to north of Commerce 
 
 female cones and scale like leaves 
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides   (kahikatea, white pine) 
 
There are a few kahikatea on campus at Lincoln, this is a young tree planted during the late 
1990?s. It was very closely planted next to two other podocarps - rimu and totara at the same 
time, clearly there will need to be some thinning of trees here sometime in the future. 
Kahikatea is ultimately a very large tree with large buttressing roots, well suited to alluvial 
floodplain forests such as that encountered at Riccarton Bush about 20km from here. Dr 
Molloy in his book on Riccarton Bush suggests the oldest kahikateas in Riccarton Bush are 
around six hundred years old. Kahikatea can be relatively fast growing another tree of the 
same species was planted in 1991 in the Amenity area at the western end of Farm Road, 
this tree is now over 7m in height and growing much faster than this particular tree in this 
relatively dry site. Kahikatea has small dull brown ? green scale like leaves that vary slightly 
as they change from the larger juvenile form to adult leaves of 2-3mm. Male and female 
cones are produced separately on different trees, this tree produces male cones in spring. 
 
 tree southwest Library, many others now on campus 
 
 scale leaves and male cones 
Dacrydium cupressinum  (rimu, red pine) 
 
Rimu is an easily recognisable evergreen New Zealand native podocarp. This particular tree 
is a quite young and just one of a few rimu on campus, the oldest of the others being south 
of Gillespie Hall. Like the kahikatea rimu has both adult and juvenile foliage, the juvenile 
leaves are needle like, round in cross section and 4-6mm long, the adult leaves are awl 
shaped, 2-3mm long and 3 angled in cross section. Rimu are ultimately large trees from 
areas with good rainfall throughout New Zealand in lowland and montane forests, but in the 
drier gardens of Christchurch are relatively slow growing. The foliage is a fresh green colour 
and the upright branches are pendulous at the tips providing an attractive weeping habit. 
Rimu are dioecious with male and female cones produced separately on different trees, the 
female produces arils ? a red fleshy scale with seed partially exposed, male cones are 
solitary or paired at the tips of the branchlets, approximately 5mm long. This particular tree is 
planted very close to a totara and a kahikatea and may need to be moved to a more suitable 
site in the near future. 
 
 s.w. Library, s. Gillespie, Amenity area, Nursery etc. 
 
 weeping foliage, scale like leaves of rimu 
Dais cotinifolia   (pompon tree) 
 
This species can be seen growing on the eastern side of the main entrance to the McCaskill 
building in a north facing position and is the only one of its type on campus. Dais cotinifolia is 
a small deciduous tree which flowers in mid to late summer. The pink flowers are very showy 
and fragrant, lasting for about a month. In warmer climates and in South Africa where this 
plant originates from it is evergreen. In a botanical sense the closest relatives of this plant 
that also grow on Campus include the shrubby and highly fragrant Daphne species also in 
the Thymelaeaceae family. This tree is not common in Canterbury and requires some 
protection from frost, at least until established. The situation in front of McCaskill where this 
plant is sited is ideal with a warm north facing wall able to store heat in the day and reradiate 
it at night. According to the late Charlie Challenger the tree was planted at the time of Ian 
Bonisch and John Glazebrook around 1958. It is described in both Harrison as growing in 
New Zealand to a height of 10-12 feet and in Huxley to 3m. The Lincoln example is around 8 
metres high with a spread of about 4m. It has more recently been surrounded with a large 
number of New Zealand native plants including beech, also occupying part of this warm 
microclimate. Unfortunately this specimen is about to be chopped out (Nov. 2007) along with 
the demolition of McCaskill Building and the rise of the new Landscape Architecture 
buildings in this area. 
 pompon tree with the recently demolished McCaskill building 
 
 summer flowers 
Davidia involucrata   (handkerchief tree, dove tree, ghost tree) 
 
This is a young tree only planted in 2005 just to the east of the horse chestnut to the north of 
the Commerce Building. There is a second example which was badly damaged by a passing 
tractor a few years ago at the western side of the campus in the Amenity area. Davidia 
involucrata is a small to medium sized deciduous tree. It has a moderate growth rate and 
should become an attractive conical to dome shaped addition to the campus trees in years 
to come. Dove trees have simple, heart shaped, alternately arranged leaves of about 15cm 
long by 12cm across. The leaves have prominent teeth along the margins and a slender 
pointed tip. The pinnate leaf veins are evident on both leaf surfaces. Petioles are green to 
pink and approximately 7cm long. Young leaves can be pleasantly fragrant if crushed. The 
main feature that makes this tree memorable are the two floppy unequal sized large creamy 
white bracts that surround the small petal-less flowers in late spring. These are known to flap 
around in the slightest breeze, apparently resembling doves or perhaps ghosts? The flowers 
are separate male or female, the fruit is an ovoid to spherical shaped drupe. 
 simple ovate leaves 
 
 young tree north of Commerce 
Diospyros lotus   (date plum) 
 
This is a small to medium sized deciduous tree at the eastern end of the Commerce Building 
and the only one of its type on campus. It has a rounded form and was probably planted in 
the 1970?s. The date plum is a close relative of the persimmon (D. kaki). It has simple, 
alternately arranged glossy green leaves, paler beneath about 120-150mm long by 30 to 
40mm wide, with petioles of up to 15mm. It produces small creamy white female flowers that 
develop into fleshy berries. The berries are a dull yellowish to orange in colour and up to 15-
20mm across, when fully ripe in the autumn the berries develop a greyish bloom that 
overlays the other colours. A very distinctive looking calyx of four broadly triangular shaped 
sepals remains as the fruit matures. If the berries are tasted before they are fully ripe, they 
can be so astringent they are likely to momentarily anaesthetise your mouth. Fully ripe, the 
berries are have a dry fleshy texture and are edible, but not what you might get excited 
about. This tree appears to be self fertile as there is no male pollinator nearby that I am 
aware of. The date plum originates from S.W. Asia and N. Iran and grows naturally in a 
woodland situation. 
 
 round form, east of Commerce 
 
 simple, alternate, glossy green leaves 
 
 unripe fruits, late summer 
Dodonaea viscosa   (akeake, ironwood, hopbush) 
 
Akeake is a relatively fast growing small to medium sized bushy evergreen indigenous New 
Zealand native tree. It is generally hardy at Lincoln, but some small trees I was using in an 
experiment in August 1995 were killed by frosts while some of the trees were over 2m in 
height, generally the purple trees survived the frost better than the green leafed trees. Both 
green and purple leafed akeakes are commonly seen around the campus, they seed freely 
in good conditions and will produce purple green or intermediate coloured forms. There are 
good examples of both at the Amenity area at the western end of Farm Road, these were 
planted in the early 1990?s and in that environment removing seedlings from there is 
constant. The purple leafed form is generally available as Dodonaea viscosa ?Purpurea?. 
Akeakes have simple alternately (to sub ? oppositely) arranged leaves, leaves are usually 5- 
10cm long by 1-3cm across, they have a petiole up to 10mm or so. Leaves are glabrous, 
narrowly obovate to narrowly elliptic narrowing at the base to the petiole and with an obtuse 
apex, margins are entire. Flowers are produced in late spring to early summer, followed by 
flattened winged hop like capsules up to 2cm across. Akeake is widely found in lowland and 
coastal areas of New Zealand from North Cape to Banks Peninsula and a little south of 
Greymouth in the west. 
 
 Dodonaea viscosa 
 
 Dodonaea viscosa ?Purpurea? 
Drimys winteri  
 
This is a very attractive flowering small evergreen tree (can grow to 20m) planted on the 
west side of the pond in the Amenity area. The tree was planted in August 1990 and has 
creamy white flowers from mid October through November. This species is native of Chile 
and Argentina and is from the Winteraceae family. Pseudowintera colorata the New Zealand 
pepper tree or horopito is also from this family. This species has large glabrous, shiny green 
leaves that can grow 150mm or more by up to 75mm across. The leaves have a marigold 
like fragrance if crushed and are bluish white beneath. Drimys lanceolata (pepper tree) 
also growing in the Amenity area on the western side of the pond, this is a much smaller 
specimen expected to grow to only 5m or so. The pepper tree has smaller duller leaves and 
the flowering is not as showy as D. winteri. 
 
 Drimys winteri 
 
 Drimys lanceolata 
 
Elaeocarpus dentatus  (hinau) 
 
Hinau is a small to medium sized evergreen New Zealand native tree. It is growing in a 
border next to the footpath, mid way between the south end of Burns to the north of the 
eastern end of the Commerce Building. Hinau is one of two endemic New Zealand native 
species from a genus of around ninety species, most of the others are from the warmer 
climates of India and Malaysia, with a few other species extending down to Australia and the 
Pacific Islands. This tree is a tall erect growing specimen, somewhat crowded by other trees 
and shrubs in the area, it is the only example of this species on campus. It has alternately 
arranged leaves that tend to be crowded toward the ends of the branches and ascend 
somewhat. The leaves are up to 100mm long by about 30mm wide, with a short petiole of 
around 15 to 25mm, they are dark green above and lighter below. The bark of hinau is a dull 
greyish colour and relatively smooth. This species flowers from about late October to the end 
of January. Flowers are white, followed by a dull purplish coloured drupe. Hinau is a lowland 
species found in forests up to 600m throughout much of the North and South Islands. A 
second and much younger species planted in 1998 can be seen on the western side of the 
Natural Resources Engineering building in full flower early November, currently only about 
2m or so. 
 
 flowers late spring 
 
  
Hinau is the tree in the centre n.e. of the Commerce Building. 
Eucalyptus amygdalina   (peppermint) 
 
Two tall upright growing evergreen gum trees can be found in the border north of the lodge 
toward the Burns wing end. These trees were grown from seed collected by Ruth Burns from 
trees growing at Charteris Bay on Banks Peninsula in 1962 according to her reference to 
?Some trees at Lincoln College? 1984. They were subsequently identified by Bill Sykes in 
1990, one of the authors of Volume Four of the New Zealand Flora, as E. amygdalina. This 
species is just one of possibly five hundred or more eucalypts, the majority of which are 
Australian native plants. Eucalyptus amygdalina is a native of Tasmania. Like most species 
of eucalypt, this has a distinct juvenile stage of growth where the juvenile and adult leaves 
are quite different in appearance. The juvenile leaves tend to be opposite on the stem, have 
no petiole and are a different shape to the adult leaves. The adult leaves are dull green, 
alternately arranged, have a petiole and are lanceolate to falcate in shape and peppermint 
scented. These two trees have white flowers which can be seen during spring. The bark of 
this species is finely fibrous, grey ? brown on the trunk and larger branches, then smooth, 
salmon pink, white or grey above. These are the only two examples of this species on 
campus. (Postscript: Chopped out to make way for a chemical store October 30
th
 2007). 
 
 trees planted by Lady Ruth Burns in 1962 
 
 leaves and flowers 
Eucalyptus cinerea   (Silver dollar gum, Argyle apple) 
 
This tree is growing on the eastern side of Springs Road, just to the north - west corner of 
the Dairy Farm Car Park. It is a medium to large, fast growing evergreen tree with a bushy, 
more or less rounded top. The overall appearance of the tree is of grey-blue glaucous 
leaves, except from late spring when it displays its creamy white flowers until mid summer. 
The trunk and major branches are covered with a thick fibrous light grey ? reddish brown 
coloured bark that has longitudinal fissures. Both adult and juvenile leaves are displayed on 
this tree. Juvenile leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and have no petiole, usually elliptic 
to broadly lanceolate to about 7cm long by 5cm across. Adult leaves tend to be arranged 
alternately, have short petioles and are broadly lanceolate, up to 11cm long, by 2cm across. 
Flowers are produced in 3?s during October and November, followed by glaucous woody 
capsules about 7mm long and slightly wider. 
 
 tree just to north and east of Gate 3 
 
 bark and trunk 
 
 woody capsules in 3?s 
Eucalyptus viminalis   (manna gum) 
 
This is amongst the largest of the trees on campus situated near the tennis courts on Farm 
Road. The tree is about twenty eight metres high with a spread of about twenty three metres. 
The smooth trunk is very distinctive, coloured white or grey with overtones of pink or light 
brown and sheds bark annually in long strips over summer and autumn. Sometimes 
branches are shed during very windy weather, the combination of bark, branches, leaves 
and capsules makes this a somewhat messy tree to deal with, but its grandeur far outweighs 
those sorts of considerations. About February the air around the tree is thick with honey 
fragrance from the creamy white flowers. The flowers are not particularly significant visually, 
although large numbers are produced. The fruit of the flowers is a woody capsule, full of tiny 
seeds. Eucalyptus leucoxylon ?Rosea? which is also on the south western side of the campus 
has pink flowers and tends to be a much showier flowering gum. The manna gum is one of 
the eighty or so hardy Eucalyptus species that can be grown in New Zealand from a total of 
around 500 mainly Australian species. This tree is estimated to have been planted in the mid 
1950?s and was for many years a seed source for trees grown by the Ministry of Works 
Nursery in Christchurch.  
 
 an imposing tree in Farm Road, west of the Rec. Centre 
 
 flowers with lots of stamens 
Eucryphia moorei  (stinkwood, pinkwood, plum tree) 
 
This tree is growing in the Amenity area, it was grown from cuttings given to me from the 
then secretary of The Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens ? Adrianne Moore. 
Eucryphias are native to south eastern Australia, Tasmania and Chile. Flowers are showy 
and subtly fragrant, the only genus in the Eucryphiaceae. Eucryphia moorei appears to be a 
relatively slow growing tree apparently capable of growing to 15m. It is a native of south 
eastern Australia. The tree is evergreen with opposite, odd-pinnately compound leaves of 5 - 
11 leaflets. Stems, buds and the margins and parts of the lowers side of the leaves are 
covered with short hairs. Attractive white flowers are produced in late summer and autumn. 
Each flower has four petals and is about 40mm across with numerous stamens.  The 
anthers and stigma are pink, as are the 4 small sepals. This species appears to be best 
suited to a sheltered site from cold winds, but not in full sun. Another younger tree Eucryphia 
x intermedia is growing to the area south of Lincoln Ventures workshop. This tree has mainly 
simple linear leaves to about 50mm x 13mm with a petiole to about 6mm. In some examples 
both simple and pinnate leaves are seen). The leaves are dark green above and paler 
beneath, margins entire. Flowers also appear in late summer and autumn, they are 
produced singly in the leaf axils, flowers have four white petals, are about 40mm across, 
stamens are showy, but confined to the centre of the flower.  
 
 
 Eucryphia moorei ? western side of Amenity area 
 
  
Eucryphia x intermedia - south LVL workshop. 
Euonymus europaeus   (common spindle tree, spindle berry) 
 
This is a small deciduous tree to around five metres or so in height and spread. Its main 
ornamental feature is its unusual four sided capsule which colours up to a deep pink in 
autumn and as the capsule opens reveals a bright orange inner layer. The leaves can also 
provide some autumn colour. In some areas spindle berry has been known to become a bit 
of a weed. At Lincoln this is one of only two trees I am aware of that have survived in any of 
the gardens. This specimen is in the border opposite the west side of Hudson Hall near the 
entrance to the student car park of Calder Drive. The second is in the Betula border. 
 
 border opposite - west Hudson 
 
 
 distinctive 4 lobed fruit 
Fagus sylvatica   (English beech, common beech) 
 
English beech trees are deciduous large round topped deciduous. Leaves are alternate, 
simple, ovate to obovate with 6-7 prominent pairs of veins. The leaf margin is wavy. Buds 
are slender and pointed. 
 
 tree south east of Recreation Centre entrance 
 
 simple, alternately arranged leaves 
 
 beech hedge n. of Gillespie 
Fagus sylvatica  ?Pendula Purpurea?   
 
  
weeping purple leafed cultivar in the Betula border opposite western main gates to Forbes 
 
 
 
Fagus sylvatica ?Purpurea? (copper beech) north of the Computer Centre 
Fraxinus angustifolia ?Raywood?  (syn F. oxycarpa ?Raywood?) claret ash 
 
There seem to be both the narrow leafed ash and the claret ash on campus, the latter 
colouring to rich claret, oranges and yellow tones in autumn. Leaves are pinnately 
compound to 250mm long with 7-13 lanceolate leaflets. 
 F. angustiifolia (narrow leafed ash) n.w. Southland Hall 
 
 pinnately compound leaves F. angustifolia 
 
 
Fraxinus angustifolia ?Raywood? (Claret ash) near Centennial Hall 
Fraxinus excelsior ?Aurea?  (golden ash) 
 
This ash is growing as a lawn specimen to the north eastern end of the Commerce Building. 
This particular tree unfortunately had a very large branch removed in order that a footpath 
could be put in close to the trunk. There are other good examples such as that to the north 
west of Hudson Hall near Ellesmere Junction Road and a smaller tree west of the Lodge. 
Ash trees are good shade trees, many grown for their colourful leaves, notably the golden 
ash and claret ash. Ash trees are generally late coming into leaf and amongst the earliest of 
all deciduous trees to lose them in the autumn. Most are round headed trees, with golden 
ash especially suited as a lawn specimen tree. The Fraxinus genus is represented at Lincoln 
by the common ash Fraxinus excelsior, (seedlings of the common ash pop up in the grounds 
from time to time and can become a nuisance), golden ash and in more recent years a 
number of the claret ash have been planted (Fraxinus oxycarpa ?Raywood?). There is also 
one example of the manna ash Fraxinus ornus  (near the eastern entrance on the north east 
side of Hudson from Ellesmere Junction Road. (The manna ash has become quite a popular 
street tree in Christchurch, chiefly because of its smaller stature). There is also just one 
example of Fraxinus velutina that is in decline near the main entrance to Forbes from 
Ellesmere Junction Road. 
 
 Fraxinus excelsior ?Aurea? Hudson - north west 
 terminal and axillary buds of Fraxinus excelsior (ash) 
flowering in spring before leaves appear 
 
Fraxinus ornus  (manna ash) 
 
This is a small deciduous ash species with a rounded form. The flowers of most ash species 
are visually insignificant, but not for this species. The leaves are pinnately compound to 
about 200mm long with 5-9 oblong to ovate leaflets. Like most ash this species colours up 
well in the autumn. 
 
 round form of manna ash at main gates to north west of Forbes 
 
 Leaf detail ? autumn colour 
 
 Flowers and foliage  
Fraxinus pennsylvanica   (green ash, red ash) 
 
There are a number of young trees planted to both the north and south side of the Hadlee-
Watts Cricket Academy. These are deciduous trees, probably planted about 1999-2000. The 
leaves are opposite, pinnately compound to about 30cm with 5-9 lanceolate leaflets. 
 
 double row of trees 
 
 
 
opposite, pinnately compound leaves 
Fraxinus velutina   (Arizona ash) 
 
This is a small to medium sized deciduous tree on the western side near the eastern 
entrance in the front of Forbes. This tree is in decline and is the only example of its type on 
campus. 
 
  
existing tree form near main gates (east) at entrance to Forbes 
 
 
opposite, pinnately compound leaves with 7 leaflets, somewhat chewed in this example. 
Garrya elliptica ?James Roof?   (silk tree, tassel tree) 
 
This is a small evergreen tree or large shrub that is not usually noticed until late autumn and 
winter when the drooping tassel like flowers become obvious. Examples of this species can 
be seen at the north side of the Computer Centre, at the southern entrance to the Rose 
Garden and on the eastern side of Stevens Hall. The species is dioecious, male trees are 
usually propagated vegetatively. This species is hardy at Lincoln and does not need the re-
radiated heat of a north facing wall to do well. Leaves are grey ? green, opposite and entire. 
 
 north side of the Computer Centre 
 
 
Young male inflorescences in mid autumn at the southern entrance to the Rose Garden 
Ginkgo biloba  (ginkgo, maidenhair tree) 
 
This specimen can be seen at the south end of Hilgendorf wing. Ginkgo biloba commonly 
called the maidenhair tree can be found in a number of different areas on the Lincoln 
campus. The largest group planting of this species can be seen at the north end of the main 
rugby fields, other isolated specimens can be seen in the eastern end of the Betula border, 
to the north west of Forbes and to the south of Hilgendorf wing. The common name 
maidenhair tree is presumably related to the bilobed leaf form, similar to that of the 
maidenhair fern. This species is one of the few deciduous gymnosperms, in autumn trees 
colour up to shades of yellow. It is a hardy species that grows well at Lincoln, although it has 
a relatively slow growth rate. Ginkgo is a dioecious species, the female tree produces a 
yellowish plum like fruit which can best be described as having the fragrance of vomit. For 
that reason trees sold through nurseries tend to have been propagated from male plants. 
Lincoln trees are a mixture of both males and females and appear to have been grown from 
seed. Ginkgo biloba is sometimes referred to as a ?living fossil' and has been found growing 
wild in only two places within China. Fossil evidence suggests this species existed in the 
same form up to 200 million years. Ginkgo biloba is the only remaining species in the 
Ginkgoaceae family.  
 
 trees at north end of Rugby one field 
 
 
 leaves and ginkgo ?nuts? enclosed in a fleshy scale that ripens with a vomit like fragrance 
about mid April. 
Gleditsia triacanthos   (honey locust) 
 
The honey locust is a relatively fast growing medium to large sized, broad spreading 
deciduous tree that is well represented on campus either as this species or as a yellow 
leafed cultivar called ?Sunburst?. There was until relatively recently a thornless cultivar called 
?Inermis? at the western entrance to Burns wing near the lifts. This particular tree is growing 
near the southern end of Stewart building facing east. The species is native of mid western 
North America. The trees have pinnately compound leaves and the twigs and branches often 
contain sharp stipular thorns. (Sometimes bipinnately compound leaves also appear on new 
shoots). The leaves are large up to 20cm or so long and alternately arranged, leaflets tend to 
be slightly toothed toward the tips. The leaves are green over the summer and become 
yellow before falling in the autumn. Honey locusts flower about mid November, the flowers 
are small yellow - green and dioecious (with separate male or female flowers on the same 
tree). Unlike other legumes in the sub family Caesalpinioideae the petals tend to be equal in 
size. The fruits produced by the female flowers are long, flat brown, somewhat twisted pods 
up to 250mm long by 35mm wide containing about five flat ellipsoidal shaped seeds. The 
pods often remain on the tree well into the winter. 
 Stewart building, south east side 
 
  
tiny flowers can be seen if you look for them in late spring - early summer 
Gymnocladus dioica   (Kentucky coffee bean tree) 
 
This tree was shifted to its current position from the formal garden in the early 1990?s to 
make way for the Commerce Building. This is the only example of this species on campus 
and one of the less common trees in Canterbury growing on campus. The Kentucky coffee 
bean tree is a medium sized deciduous broadleaf tree belonging to the legume family. This 
species is native to Central and Eastern United States of America and grows best on good 
soils. At Lincoln this tree has been very slow growing in this position, another example that 
previously grew further to the west seemed to grow better as a lawn specimen. The species 
has large alternately arranged, bipinnately compound leaves that turn yellow in the autumn. 
The Kentucky coffee bean tree does not flower very well in its current position and only 
rarely produces some of the long pods that contribute to its common name. The pods are 
large brown, leathery pods, rarely with seeds and are about 20cm in length. The name 
Kentucky coffee bean tree relates to the fact that seeds of this species have apparently been 
used as a coffee substitute. This particular species appears to have been wind affected after 
transplanting to this position, efforts should now be made to propagate from this tree and 
replace in another area with more space to grow. 
 
 tree east of Library to Commerce 
 
 pods and autumn leaves  
Hoheria angustifolia   (hungere) 
 
Hoheria angustifolia is a fast growing evergreen tree with an upright form that eventually 
becomes quite large, possibly 12-15m or so. It has a very distinct adult and juvenile growth 
habit. The juvenile form has a strongly divaricating habit with fine wiry branches intertwining. 
The leaves in the juvenile stage of growth may last for five to ten years or so, are small and 
variable in size and shape. Over time a mixture of adult and juvenile leaves are seen on the 
tree, the adult leaves are slender, more or less lanceolate to oblanceolate and to about 
50mm long by 10-12mm across with a petiole of about 5mm. The adult leaves are also 
irregularly dentate to spinulose or serrate, whilst the juvenile leaves are often only serrate at 
the apex. Young twigs, buds and leaves have a covering of fine stellate hair that rapidly 
disappears as the leaf ages. Flowers are white, hermaphrodite, about 8mm across and 
produced in large quantities in mid summer. Fruit is a schizocarp, winged mericarps from an 
ovary of five carpels. 
  
 mixture of adult and juvenile foliage, including a divaricating stage. Trees can be seen south 
of Burns, Amenity area and various other places on campus 
  adult tree 
 
  adult foliage 
Hoheria glabrata   (houhi, mountain ribbonwood) 
 
There are two examples of mountain ribbonwood on campus that I am aware of. The tree 
below is located in the border to the north of the Lodge and south of Hilgendorf wing 
between two purple leafed myrobalan plum trees, with some thrip affected Vibunum tinus in 
front to the north. This is an upright small semi-deciduous trees growing between about 4 
and 6m in height, it is somewhat crowded out in its current position. The leaves and 
branchlets of mountain ribbonwood are more or less glabrous. The leaves are bright green-
grey above and paler below, leaves colour up to a pale yellow before falling in the autumn. 
Leaves are simple, alternately arranged, broadly ovate with deeply incised, doubly or trebly 
crenate or lobed margins, the base is cordate. Leaf blades are between 3 and 10cm in 
length and are attached to branches by a petiole of about 4cm. 
 
 flowers around January 
 
 tree south west of Burns wing.  
 
 
A second and younger example is planted on the south facing wall of the Grounds Dept. 
Hoheria populnea   (houhere, lacebark) 
 
This is a small to medium sized evergreen New Zealand native tree growing among a host of 
other trees by the footpath in the border to the north of the eastern end of the Commerce 
Building as you walk toward Burns wing. Hoheria populnea is one of five endemic species 
found growing naturally only in New Zealand. This species is fast growing, tends to be have 
an erect habit of growth and its leaves present a fresh green appearance. This species and 
H. sexstylosa are known to hybridise freely. Lacebarks or houhere have simple leaves, 
alternately arranged on ascending branches. The leaves are variable in shape and size, with 
adult leaves generally broad ovate and distinctly dentate or serrated, the upper surface is a 
darker colour than beneath. The flowers are white and produced in late summer and early 
autumn at a time of the year when not much else is in flower. Flowers are produced in 
copious quantities. Individual flowers are about 20-25mm across. There are a number of 
cultivars of Hoheria populnea in cultivation. 
 
 
 
simple, alternately arranged toothed leaves, white flowers late summer 
Hoheria sexstylosa  
 
Fast growing evergreen tree in flower in late summer ? early autumn, probably planted in the 
early 1990?s. Hoheria sexstylosa is very similar to H. populnea, but generally has narrower 
leaves and 2-5 flowers in a cyme compared with 5-10 flowers in a cyme for H. populnea. The 
two species are thought to freely hybridise. 
 
 tree north of Centennial Halls near Farm Rd 
 
 
 simple, alternately arranged leaves, white flowers 
Ilex aquifolium   (English holly) 
 
Ilex aquifolium is an evergreen large shrub or small tree. The species are dioecious and the 
female is usually propagated vegetatively if fruit is an important reason for growing the plant. 
The leaf form of hollies changes from juvenile which is a prickly form to adult leaves with 
entire margins. The plant in the top two pictures is close to the southern end of Hilgendorf 
wing. There are a number of small seedlings in shady areas east of the Lodge, presumably 
spread by birds from this plant. 
 
 Prickly juvenile leaves 
 
 
 fruit and the less prickly margin of the adult 
 
  variegated cultivar in the Betula Border 
Iochroma cyaneum   
 
This is a soft wooded evergreen shrub growing to about four or five metres on the east wall 
of Memorial Hall just south of the main entrance. This plant has been here for at least forty 
years and does well against the warm wall. It would not probably survive if planted further 
away from the wall, so it has been well sited. The leaves are showing some slight herbicide 
damage and as is typical of plants of this family (Solanaceae) it is very sensitive to herbicide, 
particularly hormone based weed killers. 
 
 the Iochroma is the tall shrub in middle of picture 
 
 
 simple, alternately arranged, pubescent leaves and pendent, tubular blue flowers ? summer 
and autumn. 
Juglans regia   (English walnut) 
 
There are a few survivors from the original row of English walnuts at the south eastern end 
remaining after the Commerce Building was erected. These trees are flanked to the south by 
some large hazel nuts. English walnuts of this age tend to have been grown in the past from 
seeds and produce fruit of variable quality. The walnuts and hazelnuts are remnant plantings 
of an earlier time when Lincoln students were largely resident on campus and growing 
produce for consumption was part of the package. After the Commerce Building was built, 
two of the walnut trees slowly died after a car parking area was sealed, close too, or placed 
over the trees roots. Walnuts are deciduous, round headed trees of a medium size at 
maturity, capable of growing to thirty metres or so. They originate from South eastern 
Europe to Himalaya and China. Whilst they are primarily grown for fruit, they are good shade 
trees with some autumn colour values. Walnuts are monoecious (male and female flowers 
separate on the same tree) and the flowers on walnuts are of little significance visually. More 
commonly now grafted walnuts are grown commercially and by discerning home gardeners 
as the type and quality of fruit can be guaranteed. Grafted walnuts tend to be expensive 
trees as they are difficult subjects to graft. 
 
 remaining trees south of Commerce 
 
 vegetative as well as male and female flower buds 
 
 alternate, pinnately compound leaves 
Juglans nigra   (black walnut) 
 
Black walnuts are highly valued for their timber qualities, they are not known for edible nut as 
the English walnuts (Juglans regia) are. There are two examples of this species on campus 
that I am aware of, one is in the border opposite Hudson Hall on the western side, the other 
is at the north western end of the main sports field next to the large row of holm oak. A third 
tree was removed from the lawn south of the Lodge when the new Commerce Block was 
built. 
 border opposite Hudson Hall 
 
 pinnately compound leaves and drupe (fruit). 
Juniperus chinensis ?Kaizuka?  (Hollywood juniper) 
 
This is one of the remaining junipers at the south end of Stevens Hall that were planted 
around the early 1970?s as a reference collection for New Zealand nurseries. The collection 
has largely disappeared over the years and this example is one of those remaining. It is a 
fine example of the cultivar and well suited to the site. The species is native to China and 
Japan, ?Kaizuka?, although very distinctive, is just one of a large number of cultivars that 
exist. 
 
 tree at south of Stevens Hall 
 
  
Note the small round cones of the juniper, often erroneously referred to as juniper berries. 
Juniperus squamata ?Meyeri? 
 
This example can be seen to the north of the Old Formal garden area, east of the Library 
and immediately south of the round garden containing the Neil Dawson sculpture. The bluish 
colour and more or less upright form of this conifer make it very distinctive. These plants are 
at least forty years old and possibly more. 
 
 
Juniperus squamata ?Meyeri? on the north side of the old Formal garden. The hedge in front 
is a dwarf box hedge (Buxus sempervirens ?Suffruticosa?) 
Juniperus recurva var. coxii  (Burmese coffin juniper) 
 
This is an attractive weeping juniper that does not appear to grow to more than about four 
metres in height and spread at Lincoln. It is relatively slow growing, both examples on 
campus were probably planted around about the early 1970?s period. One example can be 
seen in the old Formal Garden between the circular garden and the Commerce Building 
opposite the eastern end of the Library. The other example is at the southern end of Stevens 
Hall where the juniper collection was planted. This species is native to China and the 
Himalayas. 
 
 
this species is located to the east of the Library as you head south toward the Commerce 
building from the path immediately south of the round garden with the Neil Dawson 
sculpture. 
 
Knightia excelsa   (rewa rewa, New Zealand honeysuckle) 
 
This is a large evergreen endemic New Zealand native tree with a fastigiate form. This 
species is mainly found growing naturally throughout the North Island in lowland and 
montane forests, but also in the Marlborough Sounds and D?Urville Island in the South 
Island. A specimen at Lincoln was planted in the 1980?s on the eastern wall of what was then 
the Post Harvest Physiology Lab and is now the Winery. This tree has been slow growing 
even though it has been protected from climatic extremes by being planted close to a block 
wall. Rewa rewa has simple alternately arranged leathery leaves. The leaves are linear to 
lanceolate or oblong, leaves are usually 10-15cm long by 2.5 to 4cm across, juvenile leaves 
are up to 25cm long. Leaves are serrate, glossy green above, paler below, sometime with 
pubescence, petioles are about 10mm. Young branches are covered with a brown velvety 
tomentum. Red flowers of about 3-4cm long are produced in lateral racemes about 5-10cm 
long, all covered with brown tomentum in late spring. Fruit is a 4-6cm long follicle. Rewarewa 
are found growing naturally mainly in the North Island in lowland and montane forests, but 
also in Marlborough Sounds and D?Urville Island. 
 
  
Tree planted on eastern side of Winery in early 1980?s, some pruning has been done for 
access to a small path to the Horticultural teaching Lab. 
 
Koelreuteria paniculata   (Golden rain tree, Pride of India) 
 
This is a medium broad spreading deciduous tree to about eight to ten metres or so. Its main 
features are the bright yellow flowers, unusual inflated pendulous capsules and good autumn 
foliage characteristics. There are four or five of these trees on campus at Lincoln, all were 
planted around the early to mid 1980?s. A very good example can be seen on the west side 
of the main steps to the Natural Resources Engineering building. There are two others of a 
similar age to the south east of the rose garden and others in Farm Road, opposite the 
swimming pool. Koelreuteria paniculata is a native of Northern China and Korea and belongs 
in the Sapindaceae, the same family that the New Zealand titoki (Alectryon excelsus) and 
the akeake (Dodonaea viscosa) belong to. The golden rain tree has alternately arranged, 
large odd pinnately compound leaves about 30cm long by 15cm across of 11-15 leaflets. 
The middle leaflets along the rachis are the largest, tapering to smaller at the apex and the 
base, leaflets are up to about 90mm long by 50mm across, the margins are irregularly 
crenately toothed, with some leaflets being deeply divided at their base, almost bipinnate. 
Each leaflet has a short petiolule up to 5mm or so. Leaves are glabrous apart from some 
hair along the petiole and main vein, especially below when young. Petioles are 50-60mm or 
so. Yellow flowers appear on erect terminal panicles up to 30cm long and almost as wide at 
the base in late summer, individual flowers are about 12mm across. Flowers are followed by 
papery, brown inflated conical shaped pendulous capsules, each capsule contains a few 
large black seeds.  
 
 trees on east side of Rose Garden south of Student Union 
 
 pinnately compound leaves showing autumn colour 
 
 inflated capsule late summer and autumn 
Kunzea ericoides   (kanuka) 
 
Kanuka is a fast growing pioneer tree species. It has small white flowers and differs from 
manuka, being more tolerant of drier sites. Kanuka does not appear to suffer from the black 
sooty fungous often seen covering manuka. Crush the foliage in your hand gently, manuka 
has a sharp leaf tip that makes it quite prickly, kanuka is soft. 
 
 
Tree in Amenity area 
 
soft tipped leaves 
 
This specimen is in the New Zealand native section of the Amenity area. Others are found 
on the south side of the library, the nursery area, north of the Field Service Centre etc. 
Laburnum anagyroides  (common laburnum, golden chain) 
 
This deciduous small tree is found tightly packed amongst a number of other plants on 
Springs Road between the southern main gate to the Lodge and the eastern end of Farm 
Road. It is about mid way between the two. This is the only example of this species on 
campus that I am aware of. Laburnums belong to the pea family (Papilionacae) and can be 
seen in flower in late spring. Leaves are alternately arranged and pinnately compound 
(trifoliolate) - 3 elliptic to oblong leaflets. All parts of laburnum are poisonous. 
 
Yellow pea like flowers and trifoliolate leaves  
 
 pods in autumn 
 
 the laburnum is surrounded by other trees, mainly hoheria 
Lagerstroemia indica   (crape myrtle, crepe flower) 
 
Crape myrtle is an excellent, small, deciduous garden tree. It has strongly ascending 
branches, branching near the base and an attractive ovate form. It grows best in a warm 
sheltered area. Crape myrtles flower in the late summer, flowers are produced in long 
panicles up to 20cm or so long. The flowers have crinkly looking petals and are usually seen 
in shades of pink, purple or white colours. The leaves are opposite, simple, oblong, glossy 
and about 10cm long, with a very short petiole. Crape myrtles also have good autumn 
foliage colour, the leaves colour up to a range of bright orange to brown colours. In the 
winter the trunk is also an attractive feature of this tree. It displays a very attractive peeling or 
flaking bark, leaving a smooth trunk streaked with colours of grey, white and brown. The 
example of crape myrtle at Lincoln University is well sited against the warm wall on the north 
facing side of the library. This species originates from regions of China, Indochina, Himalaya 
and Japan. Today there are many selected hybrids, from a range of species. From these 
hybrids there are cultivars available of varying vigour, flower colour and some capable of 
growing 10m or more, whilst other cultivars are dwarf shrubs only. 
 
 tree west of main entrance to library 
 
 flowers mid autumn 
Larix decidua   (larch) 
 
This is a tall hardy deciduous conifer often grown as a forest tree. The tree is easily 
recognised by its soft green leaves in spring, these turn yellow to gold in autumn before 
falling. The leaves are needle like and arranged in both short and long shoots. Cones are 
small and egg shaped. 
 
 
 useful timber tree in Europe, not particularly valued for timber in New Zealand 
 
 needles in short shoots and female cones 
Leptospermum nitidum ?Copper Sheen? 
 
This is a large evergreen shrub or small tree of about 4m x 4m that is native to Australia. 
There are two examples of this species on campus, one is at the nursery and the other is at 
the western end of Farm Road on the north side of the student flats. The leaves in the sun 
are a bronze-purple colour. Shaded leaves remain green, flowers are white in mid spring, 
about 15mm across. 
 
 tree at Nursery 
 
  
inner and outer leaves affected by sun change colour 
Leptospermum scoparium   (manuka, ti-tree) 
 
There are a few examples of manuka on campus, they are often removed however because 
of a sooty mould that ruins their appearance. Leaves have a spikey feel to the tips compared 
with kanuka that is soft to touch. Manuka is an evergreen New Zealand native shrub with 
many good flowering garden cultivars including large flowering triploids and tetraploids. 
 
 shrub planted in amenity area next to a kanuka 
 
 
A collection I planted at the Nursery in the early 1980?s showing dwarf, tall and weeping 
cultivars. Most of these are no longer in this area 
Leucadendron argenteum  (silver tree) 
 
This small tree or large evergreen shrub is growing against the north face of Orchard Hall. It 
is easily recognisable with its soft silvery foliage. It is a native of South Africa and well sited 
here in full sun with a degree of frost protection and southerly protection from the building, 
although specimens will succeed at Lincoln in the open. 
 
 north face of Orchard Hall 
 
 soft silvery foliage 
Libocedrus bidwillii   (pahautea or mountain cedar) 
 
This is one of two species of New Zealand native plants that are in the Cupressaceae family. 
The kawaka has grown at a much better rate than the pahuatea (Libocedrus bidwillii). The 
latter was planted in 1992 from a plant obtained from grounds section of the old DSIR 
Botany Division and the kawaka planted in May 1990 from a plant donated by the Parks 
Department of the Christchurch City Council. Both are planted in the Cupressaceae family 
plantings in the Amenity Area. 
 
  
slow growing tree in the Cupressaceae collection but also adjacent to the New Zealand 
native plant collection in the Amenity Area 
 
 scale like leaves and cones 
Libocedrus plumosa  (kawaka or New Zealand cedar) 
 
This is one of two species of New Zealand native plants that are in the Cupressaceae family. 
The kawaka has grown at a much better rate than the pahuatea (Libocedrus bidwillii). The 
latter was planted in 1992 from a plant obtained from grounds section of the old DSIR 
Botany Division and the kawaka planted in May 1990 from a plant donated by the Parks 
Department of the Christchurch City Council. Both are planted in the Cupressaceae family 
plantings in the Amenity Area. 
 
 
 kawaka in the Cupressaceae collection in the Amenity area, but immediately adjacent to the 
New Zealand native plants section. 
 
 
 scale like leaves of the kawaka flattened into larger leaf like sprays. 
Ligustrum lucidum ?Tricolor?   (variegated shining privet, variegated tree privet) 
 
A number of species of privet have been widely grown in New Zealand in the past, mainly for 
hedging purposes. Some of these species have been recognised as causing pollen allergies, 
whilst others have been able to naturalise and spread, threatening to become serious weed 
pests. This particular cultivar has been growing at Lincoln on the west wall of Ivey Hall for at 
least forty years. This is a slow growing upright, evergreen tree or large shrub grown for its 
variegated coloured leaves and its bushy form. The white flowers are small and visually 
insignificant, borne over the summer, usually followed by blue or purplish ? black berries. 
This is the only example of this cultivar at Lincoln and it doesn?t appear to produce any 
seedlings. This particular cultivar is not commonly seen in Canterbury, although the species 
Ligustrum lucidum is regarded as a pest plant particularly in the warmer parts of the upper 
North Island where it has been widely used for tall hedging in the past. The species 
Ligustrum lucidum has been used for hedging at Lincoln, most of these hedges have been 
removed. 
 
 Tree on the north-west wall of the Library 
 
 opposite simple variegated leaves 
Liquidambar styraciflua   (sweet gum, liquidamber) 
 
This is a relatively common medium sized tree in cultivation, growing to around twenty 
metres or so in height. Liquidambers are upright, conical shaped deciduous trees that 
originate from the S.E. USA. They require moisture retentive, good soils to grow well and are 
best known for their fine autumn colours. Liquidambers or sweet gum are frequently 
mistaken by people for a type of maple because of the palmately lobed leaf shape and 
autumn colours, but they differ from all maples by having alternately arranged leaves. (The 
leaves are opposite for all maples). They do not have the winged fruiting samaras typical of 
maples either. The flowering of liquidamber trees appears small and insignificant in the 
visual sense. The fruit that is produced is rather strange looking, half a golf ball in size and 
shaped fruit (with the textured look of some teenagers? hair styles). The fruit can be seen 
from summer and these can often be seen on bare branches over the winter. Some trees 
have twigs with corky winged bark as they age. Not all liquidambers produce really good 
autumn colour, the best trees should be selected from the nursery in autumn. This particular 
example at the south western end of Hilgendorf produces mediocre yellow and some orange 
autumn colour only. Better examples produce rich yellows, orange and crimson shades. 
 
 simple, alternate leaves, deeply lobed 
 
 
tree at the south of Hilgendorf on path towards Lodge. Most liquidambers produce good 
autumn colour. 
Liriodendron tulipifera  (tulip tree) 
 
The tulip tree seen here is one of two similar trees growing between Forbes and the Library. 
This is the tree on the eastern side of the lawn and according to records kept by the 
Horticulture Department at that time was planted by Mr P.G. Stevens on his retirement from 
Lincoln in September 1960. The other tulip tree on the west side of the lawn was planted by 
Mr. L. Morrison on his retirement. The tulip tree is a large deciduous tree species originating 
from eastern North America and belongs in the Magnoliaceae family. There is another older 
tree to the north of the Lodge probably planted in the late 1940?s and a younger tree in the 
Betula Border probably planted in the 1960?s. Members of the Magnoliaceae are considered 
to be among the most primitive of all of the woody flowering plants and include the 
spectacular flowering Asiatic magnolias. The leaves of the tulip tree resemble a stylised tulip 
flower in terms of their shape, while the flower is very similar in shape to that of a garden 
tulip. The flowers are produced separately on terminal buds about November, but are often 
difficult to see because they sit above the leaves. Tulip trees are excellent specimen trees 
where they have space to grow and as the photo shows provide respectable autumn colour. 
Because tulip trees are often planted as lawn specimens people should be aware that the 
use of some herbicides to control broadleaf in the turf (especially Versatill® from my 
observations) seems to have a major effect on the health of these trees. (Postscript: a 
number of plants on campus, but particularly in the Amenity area over the summer of 2007-
2008 were sprayed at the base to control weeds with Tordon Gold, this has left many trees, 
especially the magnolia collection looking very sick. 
 
 tulip shaped flowers about November 
 
 
 Memorial tree to PG Stevens on his retirement in 1960 planted on the south ? east side of 
Forbes 
 
Magnolia collection 
 
This is part of the collection of magnolias in the Amenity area funded by the Brian Mason 
Trust in part and the early part of the collection from the Works Committee to replace the 
magnolias lost from the old Formal Garden when the Commerce Building was built. There 
are approximately one hundred and thirty magnolias including Michelia, Manglietia, Magnolia 
and Liriodendron have been planted and labelled in this area. Michelia and Manglietia are 
now reclassified as Magnolia. Because of the size and complexity of this group, most of 
these will be dealt with at a later date. Most were planted in the early 1990?s. At this stage I 
will include only some of the magnolias on campus. 
 
   
Magnolia ?Serene? affected by Tordon Gold in summer of 2007-8 
 
  
partial view of the Magnolia collection in the Amenity area in the late 1990?s 
Magnolia cylindrica 
 
This species not only has good flowering, reasonable autumn foliage but also very attractive 
fruits in late summer. This is a good small tree for gardens. 
 
  
Fruit is seen in late summer. Technically the botanical fruits of magnolia are an aggregation 
of follicles 
Magnolia doltsopa ?Silver Cloud?   (syn. Michelia) 
 
This example is in the Amenity area. It is probably more correctly listed as Magnolia doltsopa 
now. This is an evergreen tree that produced lots of highly fragrant flowers in mid spring. 
Occasionally flowers have been frosted at Lincoln, but in most years the display is good.  
 
 rounded form of tree in Amenity area 
 
 
 large simple, alternately arranged leaves and creamy white flowers, note the bronze 
coloured perules that protect the flowers in winter. 
Magnolia ?Lanarth? (syn. Magnolia campbellii  subsp. mollicomata ?Lanarth?) 
 
This tree was planted by the Grounds Department in 1998. It is planted very close to the 
Kentucky coffee bean tree and just to the south west of the pergola in the Formal Garden. It 
can be viewed as you walk south from the library toward the western end of the Commerce 
Building. This tree is very upright, large leafed, fast growing deciduous tree with beautiful 
flowers in late August and September. The flowers are spectacularly large and in dark red 
purple shades. References suggest that this form introduced by the plant collector Forrest 
from N.W. Yunnan is very close to Magnolia campbellii  subsp. mollicomata. There is 
another example of this cultivar in the Magnolia collection at the far end of Farm Road. Like 
most magnolias, this tree grows best in good moisture retentive soils, with some shelter from 
prevailing wind. Before the Commerce Building was built, this area had the highest 
concentration of magnolias on campus, so it is appropriate that this particular tree, along 
with some other more recent plantings of magnolia (M. x soulangeana ?Picture? planted 1996 
midway north Commerce Building and M. ?Elizabeth? near the winter sweet at the western 
end ? N. of Commerce) go back into this area. Other of the original magnolias that survived 
in this area are M. stellata, M. liliiflora, M.grandiflora , M. x raffillii ?Charles Raffill?and M. x 
soulangeana ?Norbertii?.  
 
 
Magnolia grandiflora   (Bull Bay magnolia) 
 
This is commonly grown evergreen species of Magnolia. There are a number of cultivars that 
vary in size and shape with varying sized flowers. Generally most flower from early summer 
until mid autumn or later. Most flowers are strongly lemon scented. There are some newer 
and longer flowering hybrids between this and other species. ?Freeman? is a good example 
being a smaller tree with a much longer flowering period. 
 
 example in the Amenity area 
 
  
typical flower of M. grandiflora notice all of the stamens that have fallen and the remaining 
carpels 
 
 
 fruiting ?cone? is an aggregation of follicles, there are many cultivars of this species and at 
least one interspecific hybrid with this as one of the parents. 
Magnolia liliiflora ?Nigra?  (Mu-lan) 
 
Magnolia liliiflora ?Nigra? below is seen growing in a border in the old formal garden to the 
north of the Commerce building. This is a large deciduous shrub that flowers in mid spring 
on bare branches, it also tends to have a second and shorter flowering period in late 
summer. This species has been the parent of many hybrids and cultivars including some of 
the New Zealand raised cultivars. 
 
 
Mu-lan in the foreground of a garden north of the Commerce Building 
Magnolia macrophylla   (large leafed cucumber tree, great leaved macrophylla, umbrella 
tree) 
 
This tree is growing in the Amenity area toward the western side. There was another tree of 
this species planted by the Grounds department in the border opposite the north western 
end of the west wing of Hudson Hall. The tree is easily identified by its very large leaves and 
flowering that occurs about late spring to early summer. It has individual flowers like large 
white pudding plates. The tree is deciduous, but has only average autumn colour. It needs to 
be grown in an area sheltered from the wind for best effect. It grows to a medium sized tree 
with a rounded crown. 
 
 tree in the Amenity area 
 
 large flower terminating the shoot late spring 
 
 large leaves and fruit in early March. 
Magnolia x raffillii ?Charles Raffill? 
 
This is a hybrid between Magnolia campbellii subsp campbellii and M. campbellii ssp. 
mollicomata. This particular tree is at the entrance to the old formal garden from the round 
border at the eastern end of the library and to the north of the Commerce Building. As with 
most Asiatic magnolias this tree produces large and beautifully formed flowers at the end of 
each branch. Large flowers appear on the tree about late August to mid September before 
any leaves appear. The flowers are white flushed purple, pink shades and lasts for about 
three to four weeks. After flowering is over large simple leaves develop and remain until 
autumn providing some additional benefit from autumn colour. Flowers are initiated during 
the summer and can be seen by January as soft hairy buds terminating the stems. These 
contain the next seasons? flowers and gradually increase in size on bare branches over the 
winter. The large soft hairy buds can then be seen developing at the ends of the branches as 
a feature in their own right. Lincoln University has the largest collection of magnolias in the 
South Island and one of the largest collections in New Zealand, the establishment of the 
collection was supported by the Brian Mason trust and can be seen at the entrance to the 
Horticultural Research area at the western end of Farm Road. 
 tree at north entrance to the old Formal garden 
 
 hairy perules protect the flowers in winter 
 
 flower on bare wood 
Magnolia x soulangeana ?Norbertii?.  
 
This is a small tree seen to the north west of the Lodge. This is a deciduous tree that flowers 
on bare wood in mid spring. 
 
 
west and north of the Lodge 
 
 
Magnolia x soulangeana ?Picture?  
 
This small deciduous tree is growing in a border to the north of the Commerce Building. It 
flowers in mid spring on bare branches, followed closely by new leaves 
 
north side of Commerce  
 
 
late flower with simple, alternately arranged leaves 
 
Malus ?Gorgeous?   (crab apple) 
 
This small deciduous tree is in the border between the Lodge and Hilgendorf wing. The tree 
is at least forty years old and was possibly planted in the 1960?s. This is a New Zealand 
raised cultivar by Mr Hayward Wright between Malus sieboldii and M. halliana. (Harrison, 
1960). Like all apple trees the leaves are simple and alternately arranged. This tree clearly 
suffers from thrips damage, but other problems associated with growing apples were not 
obvious. This tree appears to be around 6m in height and spread. Its main feature is the red 
fruit seen from mid summer onward, held well into the winter. There are a number of other 
crab apples planted in the 1980?s, but some time is needed to sort out what they are. A 
number of these are along the border between the north of Hudson Hall and Ellesmere 
Junction Road. 
 
 tree north west of Lodge 
 
 
 red fruit and leaves in autumn clearly showing signs of thrips damage 
Malus trilobata 
 
This is an upright growing small deciduous tree. It has simple three lobed, alternately 
arranged leaves that superficially look like those of some maples. This tree has good autumn 
foliage qualities. White apple like flowers are produced in mid spring, occasionally small pear 
like fruits have been noticed, these will become more obvious as the tree ages. 
 
 tree in the Amenity area near the hedge collection 
 
 alternately arranged simple leaves 
 Maytenus boaria   (Chilean mayten tree)  
 
There are a number of evergreen Chilean mayten trees on campus, some tend to have a 
strong tendency to sucker. Examples of suckering trees can be seen to the southwest of 
Forbes where there is now a small forest of these trees. Other examples are in the Rose 
garden and in the Amenity area. Overall the tree has the appearance of a weeping willow, 
branching low from the base with somewhat pendulous branch tips. 
 
  
A tree with good form and no obvious suckering - north east corner of Orchard carpark 
 
 
simple, alternately arranged leaves 
Melicytus chathamicus  (syn. Hymenanthera chathamicus) 
 
This is a multi branched evergreen New Zealand native shrub or small tree that grows to 
about 3-5m or so in height. The leaves are simple, alternately arranged and bluntly serrated. 
They are a dull glossy grey-green colour. Flowers are small, white and purple in spring, 
usually in large numbers.  
 
 
This specimen is in the New Zealand native plants collection at the Amenity area 
 
 
Melicytus lanceolatus   (mahoewao kai-weta) 
 
This evergreen New Zealand native shrub or small tree eventually growing to about 5m is 
located near the eastern side of the overhead walkway of the Natural Resources 
Engineering Building  
 
 north side of NRE Building 
 
 simple, alternate, bluntly serrate leaves 
Melicytus ramiflorus   (mahoe, whiteywood) 
 
There are two examples of this species on campus that I am aware of. Neither of them are 
doing particularly well. The oldest is in the Amenity area toward the south east corner of the 
New Zealand native collection. This species continually gets cut back by the frosts, but 
always comes away again. The second example is on the south facing block wall of the 
nursery. This example has grown better, although has not been able to grow to more than a 
couple of metres in height. This is normally a fast growing evergreen tree to around 10m or 
so. 
 
 
mahoe on the south side of the nursery wall on Farm Road. The distorted leaves are due to 
herbicide damage. 
Metasequoia glyptostroboides   (dawn redwood of China) 
 
This is a deciduous conifer that was unknown other than by fossil evidence until the early 
1940?s when it was discovered growing in China. After the second World War seed of this 
species went to the Arnold Arboretum in the USA and was distributed to interested countries 
from about 1948. There is a large specimen outside the Cunningham House in the 
Christchurch Botanic Gardens which was planted very early on possibly the 1950?s and 
there is a slightly smaller specimen in the Betula Border almost opposite the gates near the 
eastern side of Hudson Hall. Next to it is a smaller swamp cypress. Both trees being 
deciduous could be mistaken for being dead in the winter. I suspect these trees were planted 
sometime in late 1950?s or early 1960?s.  
 
 tree in Betula border opposite main gates  
 
 
 linear leaves in 2 flattened rows on short oppositely arranged deciduous shoots 
Morus alba   (white mulberry) 
 
This is a young tree at the eastern entrance to the Commerce Building, it replaces a gnarly 
old black mulberry (Morus nigra) which for many years was known for its delicious red-black 
fruit in late summer which invariably stained the shirts of many who tried the fruit. In the mid 
1990?s the old black mulberry was finally removed. Mulberries are best known for their 
association with silk worms, the white mulberry is the preferred species for this purpose. The 
leaves are alternate, simple and petiolate with sparsely crenate to serrate lobes, leaves are 
glossy green, becoming darker with age. The leaves are up to 17cm long by about 11cm 
across. The white mulberry is a relatively fast growing upright to rounded topped tree, it 
flowers in early October and produces a multiple fruit from an inflorescence that is a pinkish-
white colour in late summer. The fruit resembles an elongated raspberry. I have not yet tried 
the fruit from this tree, but it is reputedly not as good to eat as that of the black mulberry. 
White mulberry trees are native to China and should grow to about 8m in height and spread. 
 
  
tree in early spring at the east end of Commerce Building 
 
  
simple, alternately arranged leaves and young flowers 
Myrsine australis   (mapou, matipo) 
 
This is a relatively slow growing evergreen shrub or small tree that can be seen at the 
western end of the Field Service Centre planted in the mid to late 1980?s, this one is around 
three metres high, with a spread of about half of that. A second and older specimen can be 
seen on the east side, northern end of the Winery, this was planted in the early 1980?s, but is 
smaller, suggesting this species may grow better in a cooler, moister site. Mapou has an 
upright, bushy form, it has simple, alternately arranged leaves with strongly undulate 
margins. The margins are sometimes red or white. The leaves are oblong to elliptic in shape 
with red-brown petioles about 5mm long, the red continues along the midrib on the lower 
surface. The stems are also red-brown, contrasting strongly with the pale green, slightly 
glossy leaves, the leaves are paler below. The midrib is clearly evident on both surfaces, 
especially below, the pinnate veins can be seen, but are less obvious. Under low 
magnification hairs are evident around the midrib on the lower surface. The lamina is about 
4-6cm long by 2 to 2.5cm across. The unisexual flowers are small and more or less hidden 
below the leaves on the branches, followed by drupes up to 3mm across. Mapou are found 
throughout New Zealand in lowland and montane forests. 
 
 
 
simple, alternately arranged leaves with undulating margins 
 
  
N.e Winery area, planted approximately mid 1980?s, slow growing at Lincoln. 
Nothofagus fusca   (red beech) 
 
There is a small copse of nine closely planted red beech trees that can be seen at the north 
east end of Stewart Building. These trees were planted here as a replacement for a large 
Irish yew that slowly died after the ground levels to the south and west of it were raised on 
completion of the Stewart building. Red beech are relatively fast growing New Zealand 
native trees. They are found growing naturally throughout much of New Zealand and are 
typically grown from seed, very little selection for better colour or other horticultural forms 
has occurred. There appears to be only one selected cultivar of red beech. Metcalf refers to 
Nothofagus fusca ?Bert Neman? as a dwarf cultivar of this species. While red beech trees are 
evergreen, they tend to shed large quantities of leaves around about October each year, 
possibly shedding a third to a half of all leaves at this time. Flowering is small and visually 
insignificant. Red beech is one of five species of beech that are endemic New Zealand 
native species, the others all grown on campus include, black, silver hard and mountain 
beech. Red beech can easily be distinguished from most of the other beech mainly by its 
colour and large leaves, but also by its sharp forward pointing teeth on its leaves and the 
presence of one or two domatia on the underside of the leaf. Hard beech is the nearest in 
appearance to red beech, has slightly smaller leaves with more blunt serrations and rarely 
any domatia present. A large example of a single red beech tree can be seen in the border 
to the north of the Lodge as you look toward Burns wing. 
 
 a clump of trees north east of Stewart Building 
 
 simple, alternately arranged toothed leaves 
Nothofagus menziesii   (silver beech) 
 
This particular example of silver beech is a young tree planted in the late 1990?s, there are 
other older and larger examples on campus. Silver beech are ultimately large evergreen 
forest trees, although in cultivation silver beech appears to have a slower rate of growth than 
the other New Zealand species of beech. It is easily separated from the other New Zealand 
beech species based on foliage characters. Silver beech trees have leaves which are 
broadly ovate, rounded to deltoid shape with doubly crenate teeth. Leaves are thick and 
leathery, approximately 10 -12mm long by 8mm across with a petiole up to 3mm. Leaves 
tend to be a yellowish green colour, glossy above, glabrous except for the petiole and some 
hair in the veins below, one or two fringed domatia are usually also present on the lower leaf 
surface in the axils of the basal veins. Male and female flowers are produced separately on 
the same trees during summer. The fruit are nuts produced in glandular cupules. Nothofagus 
menziesii is found growing naturally in both the North and South Islands in lowland to 
montane forests from latitudes 37° southwards, excluding Mt. Taranaki. 
 
 west of Nursery, also Amenity area & Library south 
 
 leaves and buds of silver beech 
Nothofagus solanderi var. cliffortioides   (mountain beech) 
 
Mountain beech (Nothofagus solanderi var. cliffortioides) and black beech (Nothofagus 
solanderi var. solanderi) are very similar in appearance, both have leaves with entire 
margins and whitish hairs on the lower surface of the lamina. This differentiates them easily 
from all other New Zealand native beeches that have some sort of serrations on the leaf 
margin. However, deciding between black beech and mountain beech is not so easy, black 
beech tends to be a slightly larger tree with larger elliptic to oblong shaped leaves and 
obvious signs of venation on both sides of the lamina. Mountain beech does not have any 
obvious signs of venation. This example of mountain beech can be seen at the north-east 
end of McCaskill. Mountain beech and the other New Zealand species are monoecious 
trees, with separate male and female flowers. Male flowers are bright red clusters of 
stamens in late September and early October. The female flowers are less obvious. The 
leaves are simple, alternately arranged and leathery. They are ovate to triangular shaped, 
usually with rolled margins. Mountain beech are found growing naturally in montane to 
subalpine forests from the Central North Island southwards. 
 
  
north of the recently demolished McCaskill building, also Amenity area and other places on 
campus 
 
 
 smaller leaves of mountain beech showing rolling over at the margins 
Nothofagus solanderi var. solanderi   (black beech) 
 
Black beech (Nothofagus solanderi var. solanderi) and mountain beech (Nothofagus 
solanderi var. cliffortioides) are very similar in appearance, both with leaves that have entire 
margins and whitish hairs on the lower surface of the lamina. This differentiates them easily 
from all other New Zealand native beeches that have some sort of serrations on the leaf 
margin. However, deciding between black beech and mountain beech is not so easy, black 
beech tends to be a slightly larger tree with larger elliptic to oblong shaped leaves and 
obvious signs of venation on both sides of the lamina. This particular example of black 
beech is in the border to the north of the Lodge and south of Hilgendorf wing. Black beech 
and the other New Zealand species are monoecious trees, with separate male and female 
flowers. The male flowers are seen around the end of September and in October on trees at 
Lincoln. Male flowers are bright red clusters of stamens. The female flowers are less 
obvious. The leaves are simple, alternately arranged and leathery. They are a dark glossy 
green above, and greyish ? white beneath. Individual leaves are up to 20mm long by up 
to10mm across, with short petioles up to 2mm or so. Black beech grows naturally in much of 
the North and South Islands in lowland and montane forests. 
 
 entire leaves, margins not rolled 
 
  
border between Lodge and midway between Burns and Hilgendorf south 
Nothofagus truncata   (hard beech) 
 
There is a single tree of this species planted with the other New Zealand beeches toward the 
north east collection of New Zealand native plants in the Amenity area. 
 
  
Young tree on the eastern side of the New Zealand native collection in the Amenity area 
 
 
The leaves of this species are most similar to red beech of all of the New Zealand native 
beeches but differ by not usually having any domatia or pits on the lower surface of the 
lamina and the serrations are generally blunter and not as forward pointing. 
Nyssa sylvatica   (tupelo) 
 
The Nyssa sylvatica shown in the accompanying picture was originally a part of the garden 
to the south west of the Lodge. For some reason this tree was shifted slightly further west 
about 1980, into what was then known as the Formal Garden, some of which still remains to 
the north of the Commerce building. When the Commerce building was built this tree was 
again shifted to where it grows today - between the east of Stewart Building and to the west 
of the Library. Nyssa sylvatica is a native of the southern parts of the USA, in its native 
habitat reaching heights of up to 30m or so. At Lincoln under dryer conditions the tree is slow 
growing and only about 6-7m in height after 25- 30 years of age.  
For much of the year this tree blends into the background, but in April the tree changes 
colour to rich almost luminous scarlet shades. The tree is deciduous and the flowering is not 
visually significant. Flowers are small green - yellow in colour, followed by blue berry like 
drupes. A second example of this species has been planted in the amenity block in the 
Horticultural Research area at the south end of a pond and tends to produce more orange 
autumn colours.  
 
 tree south of Memorial Hall  
 
 autumn colours of the tupelo 
 
Olea europaea   (olive) 
 
There are a few of these Mediterranean evergreen trees on campus. The best example is on 
the south side of the Field Service Centre lecture theatre, other examples are mid way on 
the northern side of Hudson Hall. 
 
 Olive growing near Hudson Hall  
 
 
simple, opposite leaves, fruits usually abundant in late summer to winter, changing to dark 
purple when ripe. 
Parrotia persica   (Persian ironwood, Persian witch hazel) 
 
This is a small to medium sized slow growing deciduous tree just to the north west of 
Gillespie Hall, close to Calder Drive. It is relatively uncommon in gardens and its main 
attraction is its autumn colours and its form, being branched to the ground. Parrotia persica 
is a monotypic species and belongs in the Hamamelidaceae. Its closest relatives on campus 
are the winter flowering deciduous shrubs the witch hazels (Hamamelis mollis, hybrids and 
cultivars, an example of the common witch hazel can be seen with its yellow flowers on bare 
branches during the winter months, located in the old formal garden north of the Commerce 
Building. Nb. the yellow flowered winter sweet (Chimonanthus praecox) has yellow flowers 
on bare wood and is also flowering at the same time in the same area, but is much more 
sweetly scented). The Persian ironwood has simple, alternately arranged leaves. The leaves 
are entire, generally obovate and have wavy margins. Leaves are up to 10cm long by 6cm 
across, with short pubescent petioles of about 4-5mm long. The leaves are a medium green 
above and paler below. Pinnate venation is very prominent on the lower surface and obvious 
above, some hair is present on the lower lamina surface and buds, but disappears with age. 
The young green twigs also have small white lenticels, the bark ages to grey-brown. Flowers 
are seen in late winter, the small flowers are apetalous, with showy rich red stamens before 
the leaves appear. The fruit is a woody capsule. There is a more recent example planted in 
the Amenity area at the south end of the pond. 
 
 small tree amongst others n. w. Gillespie Hall 
 
 simple, alternately arranged leaves 
Paulownia tomentosa   (Imperial tree of China) 
 
This is a medium to large broad spreading, rounded headed deciduous tree. It has large soft 
mauve-blue flowers in terminal panicles from around mid October to mid November at 
Lincoln. The flowers are large, similar to foxglove in appearance and about 7cm long on 
pedicels of 1-2cm. The corolla is covered in hairs externally, zygomorphic, fused into a tube 
that opens out with five fused petal lobes, with two pair of epipetalous stamen. It has large 
ovate leaves with a cordate base that are hairy when young, losing hair as the leaves age. 
Because of the large leaf area these trees are best grown with shelter from the wind as the 
leaves can easily be shredded if too exposed, limiting the growth rate and affecting the trees 
appearance. Leaves are arranged opposite each other at nodes and are usually about 20cm 
long by a 15cm across, although may be larger. The palmi-pinnately arranged veins are 
particularly conspicuous below. Petioles and stems are hairy initially, becoming glabrous, 
petioles are about 10cm long. Flowers are followed by large woody ovoid shaped capsules 
of 4-5cm long on pedicels up to 2cm, a calyx of five sepals persists with the capsule which 
remain on the tree for long periods after the seed has been released. Creamy white lenticels 
are clearly evident on previous seasons? growth. This tree is located on the western side 
toward the southern end of the Field Services Centre and was probably planted in the early 
1980?s. Paulownia tomentosa is a native of Central and Western China. 
 
 tree at west of Field Services Centre 
 
  
spring flowers and large soft, alternately arranged simple leaves 
Phebalium squameum   (satinwood) 
 
This is a small tree or large upright growing evergreen shrub that is often used for fast 
growing shelter in coastal areas. Flowers are small in mid spring and not particularly 
significant in a visual sense. 
 
 Phebalium east of cricket practice nets in Farm Rd. 
 
 
alternately arranged simple leaves of satinwood. 
Phebalium squameum ?Illumination?   ( variegated satinwood) 
 
There is an example of this cultivar at the northern end of the cricket practice area on the 
western fence (Farm Road). Description is the same as for the parent species. 
 
 Farm Road near cricket practice nets. 
 
 
variegated leaves of the cultivar ?Illumination? 
 
Phoenix canariensis   (Canary Island palm) 
 
This is one of just a few palm species that are growing on campus, most are near the garage 
in the Amenity area, the only other palm is growing on the north side of the Hort. Teaching 
lab. This species of palm is hardy and can be described as a feather palm based on its large 
pinnately divided leaves. 
 
 
 
 
Located in the Amenity area near the garage 
 
Phyllocladus trichomanoides   (tanekaha, celery pine) 
 
This tree was obtained by myself from the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and planted on the 
south side of the Horticultural Teaching lab about 1980. It has been slow growing and the 
lower branches have been raided from time to time for plant samples, this being the only 
example of the species on campus. This is the tree at the eastern end, the smaller tree 
toward the western end (mountain toa toa) was obtained from the same source and planted 
at the same time. The species is monoecious, but only male cones have been seen to date. 
 
 tree about 4m high after 25 years or more. 
 
  
unusual arrangement of leaf like phyllodes along a central rachis 
Picea glauca ?Conica?   (dwarf Alberta spruce) 
 
This very formal conical form is growing in the Amenity area on the north side of the 
Pinaceae collection. It is a very recognisable dwarf cultivar of the Alberta spruce. The 
rounded dwarf conifer to the right of that is Picea abies ?Globosa Nana?, a cultivar of the 
Norway spruce. The large bluish conifer to the left is Abies pinsapo ?Glauca? a blue form of 
the Spanish fir. 
 
 
Picea glenhii   (Sakhalin spruce) 
 
This is pyramidal shaped evergreen conifer in the Pinaceae collection growing in the 
Amenity area. It can be seen toward the northwest corner of the Amenity area. 
 
 tree in north west corner of Amenity area 
 
  
short needles radiating around the shoot and pendulous female cones 
Picea omorika   (Serbian spruce) 
 
This example is in the Pinaceae family collection at the northern end of the Amenity Area. It 
has a very slender conical form of growth. Leaves are linear or needle like, 12-18mm long 
with 2 broad white bands of stomata below. 
 
 tree in north west corner of Amenity area 
 
 pendulous female cones 
 
  male cones 
Picea pungens ?Koster?  (Blue Colarado spruce) 
 
This tree is planted in the border to the north of Forbes Building where it is growing very 
much better than a specimen in a raised planted in hard paving to the west of Hilgendorf. I 
am not certain if this tree is the cultivar ?Koster? or simply ?Glauca?. 
 
 tree in lawn opposite the north face of Forbes Building 
 
 linear - needle like leaves 
 
 pendulous female cones 
Picea sitchensis   (Sitka spruce) 
 
The specimen below is planted in the south west side of the Amenity area and was a pest 
resistant strain (spruce aphid) of Sitka spruce given to me by Dr Karen Armstrong. This tree 
was planted in the mid 1990?s and is growing well in this site. Ultimately this is a large 
evergreen conifer.  
 
 pest resistant strain of sitka spruce 
 
 glaucous, needle like leaves 
Picea smithiana   (Himalayan spruce) 
 
This example below was in a line of cedars and other conifers to the south of Colombo Hall. 
There is another example planted to the south east of the Field Service Centre, probably 
around 1990.  
 
 tree near the Hadlee-Watts Cricket Academy 
 
 pendulous branch tips and long cones 
Pinus coulteri   (big cone pine) 
 
This is a young tree donated by Dr Michael Thomas who was a Senior Lecturer in 
Propagation and Nursery Management in the old Department of Horticulture. It is planted 
with a collection of Pinaceae in the extreme north-west corner of the Amenity area. This tree 
will be of interest to many when the large pineapple sized cones begin to be produced. 
 
 needles in fascicles of 3 
 
  
young tree in Amenity area n.w. corner 
 
Pinus montezumae   (rough branched Mexican pine) 
 
The tree below is at the entrance to the car park into the winery on Farm Road. There is a 
second an younger example of this species more or less opposite the Hort. Teaching lab, it 
is the western tree of the two pines planted side by side.  
 
 tree in Winery car park 
 
 female cones 
 
 staminate cones 
Pinus montezumae   (rough branched Mexican pine) 
 
 
This tree is more or less opposite the Hort. Teaching lab, the tree on the right side in the 
picture (western side). 
 
 
five needled pine, stalked conic to cylindrical female cones 
Pinus mugo   (dwarf mountain pine) 
 
This species is growing in the Amenity area at the northern end in Pinaceae collection. This 
is a small shrub rather than a tree with small paired leaves to about 75 mm. Needles are 
somewhat rigid with a sharp point, needles are finely serrate. Male and female cones are 
typical of the pines generally, but are smaller.   
 
 
bun shaped shrub 
  
male and female cones 
Pinus nigra var. maritima   (Corsican pine) 
 
This is a medium to large sized tree native to Central and S.E. Europe. It is one of around 
110 species of Pinus. Pines are monoecious (separate male and female on the same tree), 
evergreen conifers, most are large trees. This species is broadly topped at maturity, more 
slender and conical in its youth. It is an interesting tree in this site, surrounded by other more 
exotic and garden type specimens, it stands out somewhat, with a relatively large and clear 
trunk. Pines are important timber trees, Pinus radiata (Monterey or radiata pine) being the 
most important exotic timber species in New Zealand. The Corsican pine in New Zealand 
has been grown for timber, but is not as successful as radiata pine. The leaves of the 
Corsican pine are in fascicles (sheathed) of two grey-green coloured needles. The number 
of needles in a fascicle is one of the ways in which pines can be separated for identification 
purposes. The female cones woody, ovoid shaped to about 9cm long, the male cones are 
small catkin like structures. The trunk of this tree has grey fissured bark, often exfoliating and 
creamy brown below. This tree is at the eastern end of the Commerce Building, next to the 
river she-oak. A second example of this species is on the south side Farm Road opposite 
the Hort. Teaching lab. It is the eastern tree of a two pines. 
 
 
Tree at eastern end of Commerce Building 
Pinus nigra var. maritima   (Corsican pine) 
 
There is a single tree of this species on the south side of Farm Road about opposite the 
Horticultural Teaching Lab. This tree is one of two side by side near the road. The Corsican 
pine is the two needled pine on the east side. Needles are up to about 150mm long, usually 
twisted and wide spread, sheathed at the base by a tan-grey fascicle approximately 15mm 
long. Young ovulate cones are short stalked, about 70-80mm long, green maturing to a 
brown colour. 
 
 tree on eastern side of two trees opp. the Hort Tchg lab 
 
 
 young and old cones, needles in pairs. 
Pinus pinaster   (maritime pine) 
 
This tree is possibly the only example of this species on campus. It is at the western end of 
Farm Road on north side near cross roads. (At the extreme south west corner of the golf 
driving range). The tree is easily recognized by its large paired leaves in fascicles of about 
25mm. The leaves are slightly serrated, stiff and sharp pointed at the tips. Cones are large, 
shiney brown, sessile. The bark pattern becomes very recognisable as the trees of this 
species age. There are a number of quite old maritime pines in the Christchurch Botanic 
Gardens and in north Hagley Park near the Bealey Avenue corner. 
 
 tree at western end of Farm Road, north side 
 
  
needles sharp pointed, somewhat stiff in paired fascicles. 
Pinus radiata and P. radiata ?Golden Selection? 
 
 
These radiata pine trees were in some bare ground to the north of the Field Service Centre, 
other older examples are on the corner of Farm Road leading to the old dump. 
 
This is a cutting selection from a tree that the late Ron Arnold showed me that was growing 
in Diamond Harbour ? that tree is no longer there. The form is not typical, was widely nibbled 
on by rabbits and has been burnt by frosts since planting. I expect a leading shoot to take 
over at some time. Has a very good colour in spring, occasionally burnt by severe frosts, but 
will possibly be less affected as it grows. This golden form is in the Amenity area - north-
west corner. A second example of a golden pine is small tree with a more usual form that 
from memory I think Dan Dennehy gave me. It is planted to the south east of the pond in the 
Amenity area. 
Pinus sylvestris   (Scots pine)  
 
This is a Memorial tree planted 1992 to commemorate the death of Angus McIntyre who was 
a lecturer in Resource Studies at Lincoln University. As far as I am aware this is the only 
example of this species on campus. 
 
 
Memorial Tree at the northern end of Burns Wing 
 
Leaves in paired fascicles and young male cones 
Pittosporum eugenioides   (tarata, lemonwood) 
 
This is a small to medium sized round, bushy, evergreen New Zealand native species. 
Tarata or lemonwood is easily recognised during October at Lincoln with its numerous yellow 
flowers in large compound umbels. After flowering green ovoid to elliptic berry like capsules 
develop, capsules are up to 10mm long, by 7mm across on pedicels of about 5mm. 
Capsules have either two or three valve and contain 10-12 brown sticky seeds. Tarata has 
simple, alternate, glabrous, glossy light green leaves which are fragrant if crushed. The 
leaves are elliptic to oblong, to about 12cm long, by 3 to 4cm across, petioles are up to 
25mm long and the same colour as the midrib. The pale yellow-white midrib is clearly 
evident on both sides of the lamina, the lower surface of the lamina is paler than above. The 
margins are entire, but strongly undulate. Pinnate venation is evident on both surfaces of the 
lamina. This species grows in lowland areas throughout both the North and South Islands of 
New Zealand. There are a number of tarata on campus, examples can be seen on Calder 
Drive to the south and west of Gillespie Hall, west of the Field Service Centre and in many 
other locations. There is a hedge of this species in the Amenity Area at the western end of 
Farm Road.  
 
 flowers mid spring, undulate leaf margin 
 
 tarata - east carpark south of Stevens Halls 
Pittosporum eugenioides ?Variegatum? 
 
The cultivar ?Variegatum? is similar to the parent in all respects except for the variegated 
leaves. There are a number of Pittosporum eugenioides ?Variegatum? on campus, a good 
example can be seen opposite the south eastern end of the Horticultural Teaching 
Laboratory. 
 
  
simple, alternately arranged variegated leaves 
 
 
south-east corner of the Hort. Teaching lab. This tree has had to be trimmed at the base to 
allow traffic along the path. 
Pittosporum ralphii   (karo) 
 
This is a small bushy evergreen tree or shrub of about 4m in height, it is seen on the west 
side of the large Cupressus lusitanica at the eastern end of the library. This particular tree 
may be of hybrid origin as it appears to be slightly different in some characters, particularly 
leaf shape to normal P. ralphii, alternatively it may be due to this area probably being quite 
warm and dry. Karo is a New Zealand native species found naturally in the North Island in 
lowland and montane areas in the East Cape, Hawkes Bay and upper Wanganui River 
regions. Karo naturally grows along streamsides and forest margins. Karo has leaves 
alternately arranged, with some hairs found on younger leaves and stems and more sparsely 
on lower surfaces of older leaves. The leathery leaves are usually between 5 and 10cm long 
and 2 to 5cm across on petioles up to 20mm or so. Leaves are a dull green above and paler 
below with veins prominent below, margins are entire and somewhat revolute, lamina shape 
is mostly elliptic. Flowers are present from late spring or early summer, they are a dull red 
colour in 3-10 flowered umbels. Flowers are followed by quite conspicuous three valved 
capsules of about 20mm across. Karo is also used as the common name for Pittosporum 
crassifolium, a common coastal species. There are two Pittosporum ralphii ?Variegatum? 
trees in the New Zealand garden to the south west of Gillespie Hall. 
 
  
leaves and ripened capsules showing black seed 
 purple flowers mid spring 
Pittosporum tenuifolium   (kohuhu) 
 
This is a relatively fast growing small to medium sized rounded, bushy, evergreen New 
Zealand native tree of up to 10m or so. The leaves are simple and alternately arranged. 
There is enormous variability in the leaf size and shapes within this species and it is known 
to hybridise with other species of Pittosporum. Kohuhu leaves are simple, glabrous and 
alternately arranged. The leaves are generally elliptic to obovate with undulating margins, 
they are up to about 6cm long by 2.5cm across with petioles up to 10mm or so. There are a 
large number of selected cultivars of this species, some are likely to be of hybrid origin, most 
are based around different leaf colour and form, some such as the dark purple leafed cultivar 
?Tom Thumb? on size (south east High Performance Cricket Centre). A variegated cultivar 
north of the Field Service Centre is thought to have P. tenuifolium as part of its parentage is 
P. ?Variegatum?. Kohuhu flowers from the end of September through October, flowers are 
fragrant and a dark brown-black. Flowers are are 10-12mm across and followed by pale 
green capsules that become dark brown and open up as they age. Capsules are about 
12mm across at the open stage, three valved, contain dark black seeds held together by a 
sticky substance. Pittosporum tenuifolium is widely cultivated in gardens and found naturally 
throughout lowland and montane forests of both the North and South Island except for the 
West Coast. Examples of Pittosporum tenuifolium are seen south of the Natural resources 
Engineering, in the south row of the Orchard Car Park and in many other locations on 
campus. 
 
 dark purple-black flowers in mid spring 
 
 bushy form of the mature tree 
Pittosporum tenuifolium   (kohuhu) cultivars on Campus 
 
 ?Eila Keightley? ? w. Recreation Centre 
 
 ?Irene Patterson? ? e. car park s. Stevens  
 
 ?Tom Thumb? a dwarf cultivar ? FSC sth. 
Pittosporum ?Variegatum? 
 
This is a small variegated tree seen in a number of places on campus. It looks like it is 
probably a P. tenuifolium cultivar, but Metcalf suggests it is more likely a hybrid. 
 
 
Round form, a bushy specimen on the north side of the Field Services Centre, older 
specimen on Calder Drive ? n. e near Gate 2. 
 
 
Nice clean looking foliage, cream or white margin 
Plagianthus divaricatus (makaka, shore ribbonwood) and 
Plagianthus regius  (manatu, ribbonwood) 
 
Manatu or ribbonwood is a medium to large deciduous tree of about eight to ten metres high 
in cultivation. It has an upright habit with a rounded top being twice as high as wide. It is 
easily recognized by its soft green leaves and masses of tiny flowers in spring. Ribbonwood 
is reasonably fast growing making that height at Lincoln in about twenty years. This species 
is one of two endemic New Zealand native spp., the other P. divaricatus (makaka or shore 
ribbonwood) is also growing at Lincoln with some examples to the south of the Natural 
Resources Engineering Building. P. divaricatus is a shrub with densely intertwining branches 
growing to only about two metres in height. Ribbonwood have simple alternate leaves, the 
leaves of Plagianthus regius are mostly glabrous (some hair on the midrib and petiole, a little 
on the lamina base margin), a medium green above and paler below. The leaves vary 
between adult and juvenile, juvenile growth consists of divaricating interlacing branches with 
small leaves of variable shape to adult leaves that are typically ovate. Adult leaves are up to 
10cm long by 6cm across with petioles of up to 3cm or so. The margins are deeply toothed 
or lobed. Ribbonwood is dioecious, with separate male and female flowering trees. Metcalf 
suggests the male should be chosen as it is a more attractive tree. This tree is at the north-
eastern entrance to the Field Service Centre. This tree is female. Flowers are tiny in many 
flowered axillary panicles of cymosely arranged flowers from the previous seasons? wood or 
older. Petals are usually a greenish-yellow, after anthesis the fruiting capsule is subtended 
by five tiny green sepals. 
 
Plagianthus divaricatus   (makamaka, shore ribbonwood) 
 
Tiny fragrant white flowers in early September, leaves alternate or on short shoots, linear to 
oblanceolate on slender branches. An upright growing evergreen shrub, 1.5 - 2m. 
 shrub, south east NRE Building 
Plagianthus regius   (manatu, ribbonwood) 
 
 simple, alternate leaves and flowers 
 
  
tree at the south entrance to Burns Wing, others at Amenity Area, east of driveway in to 
Field Services Centre etc. 
 
Platanus x acerifolia   (London plane) 
 
London planes are relatively common deciduous trees on the Lincoln campus, they are 
medium to large spreading trees at maturity. An example of this species can be found on 
next to the path as you walk from the Commerce Building to the south end of Burns wing. 
London plane trees have large lobed, alternately arranged leaves with a petiole (stalk) that 
encloses the bud. When the leaves fall, they leave a circular scar around the base of the 
buds, a useful identifying feature in the winter. The leaves are simple, large often seen with 
stipules, although these tend to fall early. Another feature is the plate like bark, much of 
which is shed annually. This gives the trunk a characteristically decorative, patchy 
appearance, and makes the tree easily recognisable. The London plane suffers from 
anthracnose, a fungous disease that can cause sporadic die back of leaves and twigs which 
affects the vigour of older trees. Early signs of anthracnose can be seen in the blackening of 
the main veins in the leaves over summer. Interestingly, trees that are pollarded (severely 
pruned back each winter to a candelabra form) produce shoots annually that are so vigorous 
that symptoms of anthracnose are not seen. One of the parents of this hybrid Platanus 
orientalis (Oriental plane) which has much finer deeply lobed leaves does not appear to 
suffer from anthracnose. The only example of the Oriental plane on the Lincoln campus can 
be seen midway on the south side of Farm Road opposite the Recreation Centre. 
 Flaking bark is a feature of the London plane 
 palmately lobed leaves, petiole base sheaths axillary buds 
  Betula border opposite Calder Drive end and west 
Platanus orientalis   (oriental plane) 
 
This tree below was planted by the Grounds Department about 1980 and is very close to an 
English beech, one of the two trees should be removed to give the other space. There are 
another six oriental plane trees planted at the Cricket Centre, these are younger trees 
probably planted in the late 1990?s. 
 tree opposite Recreation Centre in Farm Road 
 pair of trees at the Cricket Centre 
 alternate, simple deeply lobed leaves 
 fruit 
Platycladus orientalis ?Blue Cone?   (syn. Thuja orientalis) 
 
This is a dwarf upright evergreen conifer in the middle of the Cupressaceae collection in the 
Amenity area. The cones are significantly different to any of the other Thuja species to  this 
plant used to be classified as until recently 
 
 dwarf conifer in the Amenity area 
 
 cones and scale like leaves 
Podocarpus totara   (totara) 
 
Totara is a large evergreen New Zealand native podocarp. In Spellerburg and Given?s book 
?Going Native? published in 2004 totara was included as one of the most popular ?iconic? New 
Zealand native plants. Totara is also culturally important being highly valued by the Maori for 
both large waka and smaller canoes, as well as for elaborately carved guest houses (whare 
whakairo) and store houses (pataka) (Metcalf, 1991). Totara has also been extensively used 
by Europeans who settled in New Zealand for many other uses. In cultivation in Canterbury 
totara has a slow to medium rate of growth, it is tolerant of clipping and can be used for 
hedging. Totara is ultimately a large tree suitable for parks and gardens and there are 
isolated examples of very old trees. In Salmon?s book ?The native trees of New Zealand? he 
suggests ?the biggest specimen in New Zealand, near Mangapehi in the King Country is 
believed to be 1,800 years old?. Totara has glabrous, leathery, linear to lanceolate leaves up 
to about 3cm with a very short petiole. Leaves are a dull olive green colour, spirally 
arranged, with a sharp apex and entire margins. Totara fruit is a scarlet aril. There are a 
number of golden totara on campus, this is thought to be a natural hybrid between totara 
(Podocarpus totara) and Hall?s totara (P. cunninghamii). It is often listed as Podocarpus 
totara ?Aurea? or ?Aureus?. Good examples can be seen at the south of Gillespie Hall 
(probably 1960-1970?s planting and another in the Amenity area (early 1990?s planting). 
 
sharp pointed linear to lanceolate leaves  
 
 trunk of totara over 600 years old at Peel Forest 
Podocarpus totara   
 
There are two very interesting trees on campus of a similar age and size that have an 
atypical weeping form. One of these trees in the old native area to the south west of 
Gillespie, the second tree is on the north side of Annex A to the west of where the new 
Landscape buildings are to be developed. 
 
 north side Annex A 
 
 
 s.w. Gillespie Hall 
Golden totara ? this is probably a hybrid between totara (Podocarpus totara) and Hall?s 
totara or thin leaved totara (Podocarpus cunninghamii syn. P. hallii). Examples of this tree 
are growing south of Gillespie Hall ? possibly planted in the 1960?s and in the Amenity area 
planted in the early 1990?s. 
 
 
Tree with other podocarps planted in the Amenity area, adjacent to other families of 
Gymnosperms and also to the northern most part of the New Zealand native collection in the 
area. 
Populus spp.  (Poplar) 
 
There are about thirty five species of poplar originating from Europe, Asia, North Africa and 
North America. A large number of poplars are grown in New Zealand, many for shelter, 
erosion control and some as specimen trees. Most are fast growing and many are very large 
trees, some produce large quantities of cottony seeds in late spring. The black cottonwood 
poplar is a fast growing large, deciduous tree, with large glossy leaves on long petioles and 
gummy yellow winter buds that are balsam scented. The black cottonwoods at the western 
end of Farm Road, just south of Commerce Building, are all male. The flowers are clustered 
in long catkins of crimson and yellow-green stamens. Populus trichocarpa originates from 
western North America and like most species of poplar is dioecious, (separate male and 
female trees). There are many different species and hybrids of poplars on campus, some 
grown for shelter such as the upright Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra ?Italica?), others grown 
because of their size and speed to maturity Populus lasiocarpa is unusual being the only 
species of poplar that is monoecious (both sexes separately on the same tree), There is just 
one example of this species on campus and can be seen to the south west of Burns wing. 
The flowers of poplars are usually in catkins, individual flowers are tiny and without petals or 
sepals. There are two trees of P. grandidentata planted very close together at the eastern 
end of Lincoln Ventures. These are examples of aspens which have leaves that are always 
moving, the leaves are broadly ovate, toothed on long flattened petioles. There is also a very 
large Populus yunnanensis on the western side of the Natural Resources Engineering 
building. This tree needs to have some of the weight on the eastern side reduced also. Both 
the latter species are a threat to buildings nearby. 
Populus grandidentata   
 
 broad ovate, toothed leaves 
 
 w. side of LVL 
 
Populus grandidentata. These two trees were planted in the 1980?s. These two trees should 
be braced together as both are acting like they are half of one tree with the weight unevenly 
distributed along each trunk. Bracing would help counter balance some of the uneven 
weight. There are numerous suckers invading the ground around the base of these trees 
that need removing or they will eventually cause problems. Alternatively a replacement tree 
could be planted away from buildings and these removed later. 
Populus lasiocarpa 
 
(Postscript: The recently departed Populus lasiocarpa (late 2007chopped out for a new 
dangerous goods store to be built. This was the only example of this species on campus and 
I would be keen to locate an example of this species to replace this tree ? if anybody knows 
of one?). 
 
 male catkins 
 leaf detail 
 trunk 
Populus nigra ?Italica?   (Italian poplar, Lombardy poplar) 
 
This is a well known poplar grown as shelter throughout much of New Zealand. Being a male 
clone, therefore dioecious it must be grown by cuttings. There are many examples around 
campus. 
 
the upright Lombardy poplar Populus nigra ?Italica? at the south west of NRE 
 
  
a very large old tree that up until a few years ago was in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, 
this tree was eventually removed for safety reasons. 
 
 the simple alternate deltoid leaves and buds of Lombardy poplar. 
Populus trichocarpa  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Populus trichocarpa  (black cottonwood, western balsam poplar) at the eastern end of Farm 
Road. 
 
 
 
Populus yunnanensis on the western side of the Natural Resources Engineering building. 
Prumnopitys ferruginea   (miro) 
 
This tree has been a long time in the juvenile phase, but has clearly made the transition to 
the adult form as arils have now been produced on this tree. This tree is planted in the 
Amenity area in the New Zealand native section at the northern end. This tree is with a 
collection of other mainly New Zealand native podocarps as part of the New Zealand native 
collection, but also clearly linked to the Gymnosperm collection. 
 
 slow growing evergreen conifer in the Amenity area 
 
 
linear leaves of the miro 
Prunus campanulata   (Taiwan cherry, Formosan cherry, bell flowering cherry) 
 
This is a small deciduous rounded topped to spreading tree to about seven or eight metres 
(or more), there are two examples in the Orchard car park, one about the centre, the other to 
the south east of the car park. Both trees were planted in 1993 by the Grounds Department. 
This cherry is quite spectacular in flower, but after flowering blends in to the background 
plantings. It flowers in late winter and early spring during late August and into mid 
September. Numerous cerise - pink bell shaped flowers are clustered in umbels of 3-5 
flowers, flowers are about 4cm long on pedicels up to 15mm. The flowers appear on bare 
branches, although leaves appear part way through the flowering. New leaves have a 
bronze colour changing to a dull dark green above, paler below. Leaves are simple, 
alternately arranged, elliptic and about 10-12cm long. Petioles are 10-12mm long, leaf 
margins are singly and doubly serrate with acute tips. Branches are a blackish colour. 
 
flowering on bare wood in early September 
 
 Orchard car park 
 
 simple, alternate leaves changing colour mid April 
Prunus cerasifera ?Nigra?   (purple leafed myrobalan plum, cherry plum) 
 
There are a number of these small deciduous trees on campus, they are typically up to 
about 4 or 5m in height and spread, with a rounded top. Examples can be seen in the border 
that is adjacent to the path that goes from the east of the Commerce building to the south of 
Burns wing. While I have suggested ?Nigra? is the likely cultivar, some of these may be 
similar looking seedlings only. Myrobalan plums are hardy trees that flower in the late winter 
and early spring. (Often starting within the first or second week of August and flowering for 
three to four weeks). Flowers are usually white, although some may be pink, or at least pink 
in bud. Flowers are about 25mm across and usually produced in copious quantities. Fruits 
are round to about 30mm across on long stalks. They are usually dark purple in colour at 
maturity. Fruits are fleshy drupes, edible, although they may vary in sweetness, with a 
woody stone containing the seed. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to lanceolate or 
elliptic and about 50mm long by 25-30mm across with a petiole of about 10mm. Leaves are 
purple, glossy above and paler below, with crenate margins. These trees have no particular 
autumn foliage colour change of note.  
 
 flowers appear just before leaves in early spring 
 
 plum like fruits in late spring 
Prunus laurocerasus   (cherry laurel) 
 
This is a small to medium sized, large leaved evergreen tree that flowers in mid to late 
spring. This species is more usually seen trimmed as a hedge as at Lincoln. 
 
 
 
 hedge south of Lodge 
Prunus lusitanica   (Portugese laurel) 
 
This is a small evergreen species of cherry, growing to about six metres or so. It is not 
certain whether these trees were planted or whether they simply arrived here courtesy of 
birds. From my observation this species has the potential to become a weed and the 
grounds probably should be monitored more closely to prevent unwanted seedling becoming 
established. There are many examples now on campus, the one below was probably planted 
by the grounds during the mid 1980?s. It is on the southwest corner of the Winery on Farm 
Road. Other examples include some near Springs Road near the entrance to the main 
student car park and other locations as seedlings. The species has quite attractive white 
flowers in late spring in long drooping racemes, followed by fleshy drupes, scarlet over the 
summer ripening to a dark crimson or black before birds gorge on them. 
 
 s.w. corner of Winery in Farm Road 
 
 fruit ripening to black 
Prunus mume ?The Geisha?   (Korean apricot) 
 
This small deciduous tree is an ornamental apricot. It flowers in the middle of winter before 
most other species on shiny green twigs. The flowers are bright pink fading to white on bare 
wood and fragrant. Every few years there is a good crop of small apricots which are quite 
pleasant tasting, although possibly better stewed. This tree appears free from any major 
pests and diseases, but could benefit from some pruning to rejuvenate new wood. 
 
 
 
This example is in the block to the south of the pond on the southern side in the Amenity 
area. 
 
 
Prunus ?Amanogawa?, Prunus ?Kanzan?, Prunus ?Kiku-Shidare-Zakura?, Prunus ?Shirotae?, 
Prunus ?Shogetsu? (syn. P. ?Shimidsu-zakura?), Prunus ?Ukon?  (Japanese cherries) 
 
 
 
These are ancient garden forms of Japanese cherry generally classified under sato-zakura, 
many of them of unknown origin, all selected cultivars from unknown hybrid crosses. Most 
are small trees and flower in the spring, some of them produce good autumn colour, most 
are budded or grafted onto rootstock. 
 
 
 
Prunus ?Amanogawa? (Betula Border midway approximately opposite Forbes). This tree is a 
fastigiate form of the Japanese cherry, light pink to white flowers from early October, 
moderate vigour. 
 
Prunus ?Kanzan? (Line of trees by sports fields adjacent to Calder Drive and Farm Road). 
These are a popular double pink flowering cherry from early October, upright, vase 
shape form, strong grower. 
 
Prunus ?Kiku-Shidare-Zakura? (chrysanthemum weeping cherry) - North side of Commerce 
building about midway, a small weeping form, weak vigour more suited to small 
gardens, pink flowers, early October. 
 
Prunus ?Shirotae? (South side of Farm Road on western side of YFC Hall opposite the 
Commerce Building), very broad spreading form, white flowers, early to mid 
September. 
 
Prunus ?Shogetsu? (syn. P. ?Shimidsu-Zakura?) (near holly between Lodge Hilgendorf & 
Library, flowers from early October, double pink-white flowers on long pedicels, broad 
spreading, moderate vigour. 
 
Prunus ?Ukon? (Eastern end of Farm Road near large Populus trichocarpa). This has cream- 
greenish pink flowers from early October, broadly vase shaped, strong grower. 
Prunus ?Kiku-Shidare-Zakura? 
 
This small deciduous tree is north of the Commerce Building on the south side of the old 
Formal Garden. 
 late flower with developed leaves 
 
  
small spreading tree with pendulous branch tips, north of Commerce Building 
Prunus ?Shogetsu? 
(syn. P. ?Shimidsu-Zakura?)  
 
This small deciduous, spring flowering tree is near the holly between the Lodge, south of 
Hilgendorf and north east of the Library. It flowers from early October, double pink-white 
flowers on long pedicels, broad spreading, moderate vigour. 
 
 
 small tree south of Hilgendorf 
 
 
full flower and developing leaves 
Prunus x subhirtella ?Jugatsu-Zakura? (syn. P. x subhirtella ?Autumnalis?) 
 
This is a small deciduous broad spreading tree to of four or five metres that flowers 
intermittently between April and July, with a main flowering period in September. It is not 
uncommon to see the odd flower on the tree at almost anytime of the year. The flowers are 
produced singly or in cymosely arranged umbels of two or thee flowers, the pedicels are 
approximately 3cm on peduncles of about 1cm, the peduncle has small leaf like, serrated 
bracts to about 1cm long by 4-5mm across. The flowers are double, spreading to about 
30mm across and a soft pink-white colour. The leaves are simple and alternately arranged, 
the young twigs and petioles are pink-green, with pubescence. Petioles are about 10mm 
long, with narrow oblanceolate serrated stipules about 8mm long. The lamina is narrowly 
ovate to elliptic or obovate with a finely serrated margin, pinnate venation is obvious above 
and below and there are usually red glands at the tip of the basal serrations. This tree is at 
the western south end of Lincoln Ventures. Prunus x subhirtella is thought to be a hybrid 
between P. incisa and P. pendula f. adscendens according to Kuitert1999. 
 
 
Prunus x subhirtella ?Jugatsu-Zakura? autumn, winter & spring flowering. S. end w. side of 
LVL 
 
Spring flowering Prunus subhirtella ?Pendula Rosea? to the north west of the Lodge. 
Prunus x yedoensis  (Somei-yoshino or yoshino cherry) 
 
The Somei-yoshino cherry is though to be of hybrid origin being a cross between Prunus 
pendula f. adscendens (seed parent) and P. serrulata var. speciosa (pollen parent), (Kuitert, 
1999). These are popular, small upright to broadly spreading decidous trees to around 6-8m 
or more. The leaves are alternately arranged, petiolate and the margin of the leaf blade is 
sharply serrated. Another aid to identification is the two prominent glands at the base of the 
lamina and junction with the petiole. There are many examples of this hybrid cherry at 
Lincoln, notably those planted in avenues on both the east and western sides of Forbes 
Building. These cherries were originally planted in 1958, some have been replaced since. 
The main attributes of these trees are the colourful displays of flowers in mid spring and the 
autumn leaf colours. Rumour has it that if students haven?t started swotting for finals before 
the blossom is over that they are too late. The flowering period is actually dependent on 
temperature mainly after the trees receive sufficient winter chilling and generally occurs from 
early September and lasts for three to four weeks. The trees are generally free of pest and 
disease problems, but do not grow well on poorly drained soils. There is a weeping form 
halfway between the Lodge and the Commerce Building. 
 
 flowers mid spring 
 
 autumn foliage mid April 
Prunus ?Ukon?  
 
This small to medium sized deciduous tree is at the eastern end of Farm Road near some 
large Populus trichocarpa. This cultivar has cream- greenish pink flowers from early 
October, broadly vase shaped, strong grower. 
 
  
autumn colours ? mid April ? vase shaped tree in border just south of Farm Road ?eastern 
end and adjacent to Springs Road 
 
Pseudotsuga menziesii   (Douglas fir)  
 
There is now only one example of this species on campus that I am aware of. This tree is 
located at the western end of the cinder track from the Field Services Centre toward the 
coppice area. The tree is at the western end of that track. Douglas fir are an important exotic 
timber species in New Zealand being a distant second in importance to radiata pine. 
Douglas fir trees are usually easily recognised by their pendulous cones with trident shaped 
exserted bracts from the scales. The leaves also have a fruity aroma if crushed. 
 
 conical shaped tree, probably 10-15 years old 
 
  
needles and old cone 
Pseudowintera colorata  (horopito or pepper tree) 
 
This is a slow growing evergreen New Zealand native small tree. This tree has very peppery 
tasting leaves if you want to be sure of your identification, just bite into the leaf and hold the 
bitten portion on your tongue for a few seconds. The tree can vary in colour from this rather 
insipid coloured specimen to quite strong reds. This tree is in the New Zealand native 
section of the Amenity area. It was planted in May 1990. There are other specimens planted 
since at the south of Gillespie Hall and on the western side of the Recreation Centre. 
 
 Amenity area toward the s.w. part of the NZ native plants   
 
peppery tasting leaves 
Photinia x fraseri ?Robusta? 
 
This is a large evergreen shrub or small spreading dome shaped tree. It can be seen in the 
south east corner of the Matrons car park. It is a hybrid between P. glabra and P. serrulata 
 
 n.w. of Annex A 
 
 
Simple, alternately arranged leaves and flowers often seen at different times of the year. 
Pyrus calleryana   (Callery pear, Bradford pear) 
 
This Chinese species is growing in the border opposite the north west corner of Hudson Hall 
by Ellesmere Junction Road. It is a medium sized deciduous tree with an upright habit of 
growth. It has large alternately arranged simple leaves. The lamina is mainly ovate, up to 
165mm long by 75mm across, petioles are approximately 70mm long. The leaves and twigs 
appear glabrous, the upper side of the lamina is a dark glossy green, the lower surface is a 
lighter green, the petiole and midrib is a lighter green-white colour. The margins are finely 
serrate. Young twigs are green ? brown with obvious creamy white lenticels. Fruit clearly 
seen in late summer and autumn is an olive brown colour covered in lighter brown spots. 
The peduncles are reddish brown covered with small lenticels. Fruits vary in size in early 
autumn from 30 -40mm long by about 30mm across, the shape somewhat egg shaped to 
globular. The calyx is deciduous. 
 
 moderately fast growing deciduous tree 
 
 recognisable by its fruits 
Pyrus communis ?Winter Cole?   (pear tree) 
 
This is a small to medium sized deciduous tree which is a historical remnant of what was 
once an orchard supplying residential Lincoln students with some of their fruit. This tree is 
just to the south and south west of the YFC Building on Farm Road and the northern central 
part of Orchard car park. White flowers appear in mid to late spring, followed by fruit which 
ripens in the autumn. Some of it removed by students, much of it simply drops from the trees 
after having been partly devoured by the birds. There are two other pear trees in the area, 
one to the east and one to the west of this tree. 
 
 Fruit in early autumn 
 
  
?Winter Cole? pear tree south between Orchard hall and the YFC Building. 
Pyrus salicifolia ?Pendula?  (silver weeping pear) 
 
This is a small weeping deciduous tree growing on the north eastern side of the Amenity 
area. The main qualities of this tree are its attractive weeping form, silver foliage, mid spring 
white flowers and small pear shaped fruits in late summer. The species is native of Southern 
Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. The tree appears to be completely hardy and free of 
any pest and disease problems that might be seen with commercially produced pears. 
 
 n. e. edge of pond in Amenity area 
 
 
small pear like fruit and silver linear to lanceolate leaves. 
Quercus acutissima   (Japanese chestnut oak, sawtooth oak) 
 
This is one of two oaks planted just to the northern end of the middle of Orchard car park 
probably in the mid 1990?s. The leaves of this oak are very like those of the sweet chestnut 
(Castanea sativa) hence the common name. It is native of China, Korea and Japan. This is a 
medium to large deciduous tree, expected to reach 25m at maturity. It has simple, alternately 
arranged leaves, the young twigs are green, becoming light brown in the second year. The 
leaves are glossy green on both surfaces, darker above. The petiole is up to 25mm or so, 
pale green. The lamina is generally linear to lanceolate, although quite variable including 
some that are falcate, up to 15cm long by 35-40mm across, with pinnate veins (up to 18 
pair) clearly seen on both surfaces. The margin is coarsely serrate with each serration 
extending to a forward pointing bristle of 2-4mm. Male and female flowers are produced 
separately on the same tree (monoecious), the male in drooping yellow catkins, the female 
flowers are small and inconspicuous. Acorns ripen in the second year, they have a scaly 
cupule and enclose the nut by two thirds or more. The acorn is about 25mm long. The bark 
is dark grey and fissured eventually. 
 
 Middle east of Orchard carpark 
 
  
coarsely serrated linear to lanceolate leaves 
Quercus cerris   (Turkey oak) 
 
There are a number of Turkey oaks on campus, notably at the southern end of Burns wing 
and a few amongst the oaks in the grassed area near the Computer Centre. These trees are 
probably over seventy years old and are among the larger trees on campus. Turkey oaks 
originate from Southern Europe to South West Asia. The trees are broad and round headed 
at maturity with stout ascending branches from a dull dark brown - grey, deeply fissured 
trunk. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, oblong to lanceolate with seven to nine 
triangular to lobulate lobes. Leaves can be variable, but are about 100mm long by 40mm 
across with a petiole of up to 20mm. The leaves are a dull dark green above and paler 
below, each lobe generally has one or more spiny projections. Male and female flowers are 
produced separately on the same tree, the male flowers in long pendulous catkins, the 
female flowers are usually between one and three in the axils of new leaves. Neither male 
nor female flowers have perianth parts. One of the most distinctive features of Turkey oaks 
are the acorns that are about 25mm long in a scaly ?birds nest? like cup that encloses about 
one third of the acorn.  
 
 tree north of the main gates on Springs Road to the Lodge 
 
 mid October flowering 
Quercus coccinea   (scarlet oak) * 
 
It is quite difficult to ascertain the difference between pin oaks and scarlet oaks. Two 
Memorial trees have been planted one in honour of Bert de Graf a long time gardener at 
Lincoln University and the other to Vera Ostash a student of Lincoln University. The 
Memorial tree for Bert de Graf is on the western side of Hudson Hall toward the northern end 
in the lawn. This tree was planted in April 2001 with a small ceremony including staff and 
Bert?s family in honour of his time at Lincoln. The Memorial tree for Vera Ostash (1976) is 
planted near the entrance on the eastern side of Forbes. The scarlet oak is a large tree from 
the southern parts of Canada and the north eastern USA. It has attractive autumn foliage. 
Four other trees were planted in the staff car park to the north of lecture rooms 12 and 13, 
two of which were blown out in a storm. I have seen others in the city blown out at the same 
time. For windy areas it might be better to choose the similar looking pin oak that seems less 
susceptible. 
* Closer inspection suggests all these trees are probably pin oaks or possibly hybrids with 
scarlet oaks. The trees north of rooms 12 and 13 colour up most closely to scarlet oaks, but 
for most characters fit pin oaks best. (See Quercus palustris (pin oak). 
  
Memorial tree to Bert de Graf a long serving member of the Grounds staff 
 Deeply divided simple, 
alternately arranged leaves that colour up to scarlet shades in autumn. 
Quercus ilex  (Holm oak) 
 
There is a large evergreen shelter belt that runs in a north ? south direction between the 
rugby fields on the east and on the western side the womens cricket to the north and 
Nursery complex to the southern end. This shelter has been double planted and trees set 
about a metre apart, the lower 2-3m of the shelter has been cleared to the trunk. The trees 
at the northern end are around twenty metres or so in height and have been trimmed at the 
southern end to allow light into the glasshouses. This species is tolerant of clipping and 
appears to be excellent for shelter or for a large evergreen hedge. The leaves are alternately 
arranged and usually 8-9cm long by 2-3cm across with a petiole of between 1-2cm. The 
leaves are more or less ovate to lanceolate or elliptic, they are leathery and can be entire 
(adult) or sharply toothed (juvenile form). The species is monoecious with male and female 
flowers on the same tree. Male flowers are in yellowish-grey catkins, female flowers are 
usually separate or in clusters up to three, developing into the typical acorn fruit of a cupule 
and nut. The cupule encloses about half of the nut, the fruit is approximately 2cm long. The 
Holm oak is native to the Mediterranean area. 
 
 row of trees east of the nursery  
 
 evergreen simple leaves 
Quercus laurifolia   (laurel oak) 
 
This is ultimately a deciduous (semi evergreen) oak native to the south eastern parts of 
USA. It is a tree given to me by Dieter Steinegg an arboriculturist for the Christchurch City 
Council. This tree is in the south western block of magnolias in the Amenity area. It has 
simple, alternately arranged leaves that are variable in shape, mainly obovate or oblong, 
occasionally elliptic in shape. The margin is slightly lobed in the upper part, leaves are shiny 
green above and below, slightly paler beneath. Twigs are reddish-brown with numerous 
white lenticels obvious. The lamina is approximately 70-100mm long by 30-40mm across, 
the petiole is about 8mm, petiole and main veins are yellowish. This tree is in the southern 
block of trees in the Amenity area toward the western side amongst a group of magnolias, it 
was planted about the mid-late 1990?s. 
 
 laurel oak at Amenity area 
 
 simple, alternate leaves 
 Quercus palustris  (pin oak) 
 
This particular tree is situated by the main steps of Hilgendorf facing the Forbes Building. 
There are however many other examples of this species on campus. The pin oaks are good 
hardy trees and do well at Lincoln. They originate from eastern parts of USA. This particular 
tree is interesting in that it has had some major work carried out in the late 1970?s by Bruce 
Hill and myself to remedy a split in the trunk that was about 3m long. The tree was rotten in 
the centre of the trunk and split on two sides. The tree had the rotten wood removed and 
was cleaned back to sound wood, it was then was then disinfected, bolted together, with four 
very large galvanized bolts, from one side of the trunk to the other, with each bolt offset from 
the one below. The cavity was then filled with two liquids which when combined and mixed 
created foam polyurethane. This was then trimmed after a brief period of time to harden and 
then covered with a rubber protective coat and painted black. Since then the tree has 
recovered quite well, but some branch removal is carried out occasionally to reduce some of 
the weight of the crown. This tree was planted around the time that Hilgendorf was 
completed and has a prominent position beside the main entrance steps. Normally cavities 
are left open these days, unless the tree is in a particular site where filling might be 
appropriate. This tree currently needs some branch removal work to lighten the crown. 
 
 pin oak on the western side of Hilgendorf 
 
 deeply lobed leaves, autumn 
colour 
Quercus palustris x Q.coccinea hybrid 
 
Whilst this tree tends more to the appearance of the scarlet oak in terms of form and autumn 
colours, certain characters such as the size of the cupule in relation to the nut (acorn) are 
more like those described for the pin oak.  
 
 south of the Computer Centre in 
the staff car park. 
 
 
Leaves simple, alternately arranged deeply lobed with 7-9 lobes, each with a small bristle at 
the end, nuts are enclosed by cupules by only about 20% at the base, typical of pin oaks. 
Quercus robur   (English oak) 
 
There are a number of examples of the common English oak on campus. This is a large 
deciduous broadleaf species. 
 
 North side of Gillespie. 
 
  
unusual form of the English oak planted to commemorate Joan Mahoney near the south 
eastern end of Hilgendorf wing. 
 
Quercus robur ?Fastigiata? 
 
 fastigiate cultivar of English oak north of Hilgendorf 
 
 
Leaves typical of English oak, simple, deeply lobed, alternately arranged, often clustered 
towards the tips of the twigs. 
Quercus robur x Q. canariensis  
 
This oak opposite the north of Stewart building is one of the larger deciduous trees on 
campus. It is probably a hybrid between the English oak (Quercus robur, Europe to Western 
USSR) and the Algerian oak (Q. canariensis, North Africa and Iberian Peninsula, not the 
Canary Islands as the common name suggests). One of the features that makes this tree 
different from other English oaks is that this tree holds on to its leaves well into July, long 
after most other deciduous species have shed theirs. There is one other oak tree with the 
same parentage and of a similar age near the gates at the eastern entrance to the Lodge. It 
is thought these trees were probably planted around the late 1940?s. This oak is a very large 
tree with a rounded top, probably more upright than the common English oak, it also appears 
to have more vigour. There are many other species of oak on campus and include some 
large examples of the Turkey oak (Q. cerris), many examples of the North American pin 
oaks (Q. palustris), some red oaks (Q. rubra), the evergreen Holm oak (Q. ilex) and a few 
examples of other species Q. laurifolia and the scarlet oak (Q. coccinea). 
 
 Tree at southern gate to Lodge from Springs Road 
 
  
Flowering finishing mid October ? staminate catkins in photo above. 
Quercus rubra   (red oak) 
 
These are large deciduous trees that produce good autumn foliage colours. They are native 
to North Eastern USA and E. Canada. These trees are good planted as a lawn specimen. 
They have a broad, spreading crown with a rounded top. The trunk has a smooth, light 
silvery grey, or light brown ? grey coloured bark, as it ages becoming more fissured. Leaves 
are alternately arranged, usually elliptic to obovate, with four to five angular lobes on each 
side, each lobe, usually has secondary lobes, terminated by a bristle. Leaves are large, 
usually about 200 -250mm long by 150mm wide, with a reddish petiole of about 50mm. 
Leaves usually colour up to dull reds or yellow brown colours in the autumn. Acorns are 
variable in size up to 30mm long with a sharp point at the apex and are set in a shallow cup 
with smooth scales. There are a few examples on campus of this species, the largest of 
these is in the border midway, opposite the west side of Hudson, others were planted in the 
1980?s north of Forbes, a younger example planted in the early 1990?s is seen on the lawn to 
the north of the eastern end of the Library. Some are also planted in Orchard car park 
 Border west of Hudson Hall 
 Foliage detail 
 early autumn colour 
Racosperma spp.   syn. Acacia spp. 
 
 
Previously this group of evergreen trees have been known as different Acacia spp. In 
volume four of the New Zealand Flora published in 1988 the name Racosperma separated 
the mainly Australian wattles from the African wattles that have retained the generic name 
Acacia based on a paper by Pedley, L., Bot Jour. Linn. Soc.92: 219-284 (1986). 
 
 
Wattles belong to the legume family and are categorised by botanists in either the sub family 
Mimosoideae of the Leguminosae (or Fabaceae family), or in the Mimosacae family. Either 
way, the fruit of wattles are legumes (pods), the leaves are usually pinnate or bipinnately 
divided, some are phyllodic and they are all nitrogen fixers. Like other legumes, wattles are 
good on poorer soils and are generally fast growing. Leaves or phyllodes are alternately 
arranged. 
 
Racosperma baileyanum   syn. Acacia baileyana  (Cootamundra wattle) 
 
This example can be seen on the south side of Farm Road opposite the Winery. It is a small 
tree with a rounded shape. This tree is flowers about July each year with masses of tiny 
spherical bunches of golden yellow flowers. The showy parts of the flowers are the stamens 
giving each inflorescence a furry look about it. Petals are tiny and only seen under low 
magnification. Leaves are bipinnately compound. 
 
 Mid winter flowering 
Few pods are produced on this particular tree. 
 tree n.e. of Student Flats on 
Farm Road, almost opposite the Winery 
Racosperma dealbatum  syn. Acacia dealbata   (silver wattle) 
 
This is represented in the coppice area in the Horticultural Research Area beyond the 
southeast corner of the Amenity area. (Far western end of Farm Road). Silver wattles are 
relatively fast growing medium sized trees. They may sucker under some circumstances and 
are suitable for poor dryer soils. Flowering occurs in late winter to early spring. Flowers are 
yellow, usually produced in great numbers. Leaves are bipinnately compound. 
  
 tree in coppice block s.e. of Amenity 
area 
 
 bipinnately compound leaves 
Racosperma floribundum   syn. Acacia floribunda   (gossamer wattle) 
 
This species is to the north of the student flats opposite the winery on Farm Road. It is a 
small, fast growing tree. The flowers are golden yellow as seen below and the leaves are 
phyllodes. The phyllodes are linear 90-110mm or so long by about 7mm across, sometimes 
slightly curved. The flowers are densely arranged in cylindrical spikes. Flowering is usually 
late winter. 
 
 
 Student Flats n. - Farm Road, 
also north and west of Lodge. 
 
 narrow linear 
phyllodes and flowers borne in long cylindrical inflorescences 
Racosperma melanoxylon  syn. Acacia melanoxylon   (Tasmanian blackwood) 
 
This is a widely used exotic timber tree in parts of New Zealand. Its leaves are reduced to 
phyllodes to 100mm by 20mm across. These are glabrous, entire with 3-4 prominent veins. 
Flowers are creamy yellow in clusters from late winter to mid spring. This tree is in the 
coppice block to the south east of the Amenity area of the Hort. Research area. 
 
trees in the Brandenburg coppice to the south east of the Amenity area 
 
adult phyllodes 
  
change from juvenile bipinnately compound leaves to phyllodes 
Racosperma pravissima  syn. Acacia pravissima    (Ovens wattle) 
 
This is small tree or largish shrub with a rounded habit of growth. Like most other wattles it 
has a moderately fast growth rate and grows well on poor soils in open full sun areas. This 
species is easily recognised with its small deltoid or triangular shaped phyllodes. Flowers are 
bright yellow in late winter and early spring. This specimen is north of the student flats on the 
western end of Farm Road, there is another opposite the Hort. Nursery on Farm road just to 
the south of the NZ Crickets grounds office. 
 
  
Student Flats n.w. ? Farm Road 
 
 
Triangular shaped phyllodes 
Racosperma rubida   syn.Acacia rubida   (red stemmed wattle) 
 
This is a small, delightfully scented wattle growing near the south west corner of the Field 
Service Centre lecture theatre. This tree clearly has the capacity to naturalise, although not 
mentioned in Vol. four of the New Zealand Flora. This tree is a seedling from the original tree 
that died for some reason or other. This tree is useful as the juvenile growth often displays 
bipinnately compound leaves and some transitional forms between the adult phyllodes also 
produced. (See seedling below). The flowers are yellow and produced during late winter. 
 
 
west entrance to Field Services Centre from car park on western side of FSC lecture theatre 
 
Robinia pseudoacacia   (robinia, false locust) 
 
This tree is near the eastern end of the Commerce Building, there are others on campus 
including a tree south west of the Horticultural teaching Laboratory on Farm Road and one 
on the west side of the Winery. Robinias are fast growing deciduous trees with pinnately 
compound leaves alternately arranged, stems are usually armed with sharp thorns. White 
pea shaped flowers are seen in mid spring. This species can be a problem with suckering. 
 
 tree east of Commerce Building. 
 
 pea shaped flowers 
 
 pinnately compound leaves and thorns 
Salix matsudana   (Peking willow, matsudana willow) 
 
This is a fast growing deciduous tree frequently used for shelter and trimmed from time to 
time. There is an example of a matsudana shelter belt on the eastern boundary of the Field 
Service Centre and Springs Road south of Gate 3. Like other willows and poplars in the 
Salicaeae this species is dioecious.  
 
 shelter trees side and top trimmed mechanically 
 
 Springs Road, east of Field Services Centre 
 
 Leaves simple, alternately arranged, linear 
to lanceolate, glabrous, finely serrated margins, blue-green beneath, branches erect or 
spreading. 
Saxegothaea conspicua   (Prince Albert?s yew) 
 
This is a slow growing tree located in the Amenity area on the n.w. corner of the podocarp 
collection. It is a South American species from Southern Chile and adjacent parts of 
Argentina.  
 
 growth of this species has generally 
been slower than that of the New Zealand podocarps nearby. 
 
 
Lanceolate leaves 15-30mm long x 2mm, usually dark green above with 2 white-blue 
stomatal bands beneath. Cones are approx 10mm across with 15-20 scales. 
Sciadopitys verticilliata   (Japanese umbrella pine) 
 
This is a beautifully symmetrical growing tree that somewhat resembles a very formal pine. 
The only example of this tree is growing in the Amenity area toward the northern end. It is a 
slow growing tree that had to be protected from rabbits and hares whilst it was young. The 
fresh green foliage resembles double barrelled pine needles fused for their whole length, 
approximately 12cm or so in length. The cones are about 75mm long and egg shaped. To 
date this species has not produced cones.  
 
 attractive conical form and slow growth rate 
 
 
Appears to be like a pine, but has double barrelled needles in whorls 
Sequoia sempervirens  (coastal redwood, redwood, Californian redwood) 
 
This particular tree was planted in the early 1980?s and has grown rapidly in this area which 
was once fairly wet and close to natural springs. It can be seen at the eastern end of the 
Commerce building. The coastal redwoods are a monotypic species with a just a few 
selected cultivars. They originate from coastal California and S.W. Oregon. In their native 
habitat grow to become very large trees with a narrow columnar form. There are examples of 
this species reputed to be over 100 metres tall. Coastal redwoods are evergreen trees with 
small linear leaves arranged somewhat like the teeth of a comb that was double sided. Male 
and female cones are both produced on the same tree, the female cones are almost round 
and not quite as large as a golf ball, whilst the male cones are a creamy yellow, very much 
smaller and rounded at the tips of each shoot. The trunk is covered with a very soft, reddish 
brown bark that becomes very much thicker and more fibrous as the tree ages. Where very 
large tree are seen in places like the Christchurch Botanic Gardens the lower branches are 
often removed and the trunk can become a very significant feature. There are two trees at 
the eastern end of the Betula Border, probably planted in the 1980?s also. 
 
 soft fibrous bark 
 
 female cone 
 
 young growth mid November 
Sequoiadendron giganteum   (Wellingtonia, giant sequoia, big tree, Sierra redwood) 
 
Ultimately a very large evergreen conifer, there was a very large example of this species 
removed from where the Stewart Building was erected in 1990. There are two specimens on 
campus since planted, one by Bob Crowder in the organics block in the Hort. Research area 
from a seedling I obtained, planted in the early 1990?s, the other is in the Taxodiaceae family 
group of the Gymnospermae collection in the Amenity area near the gate at the north end 
planted in the late 1990?s. 
 
 big tree growing in the Amenity area 
 
 sharp pointed scale leaves 
radiate around the shoot 
Sophora fulvida   (kowhai) 
 
This is a fine leaved species planted at the south eastern corner of the Horticultural 
Teaching lab in the early 1980?s. It is a small graceful tree, ideally suited to modern small 
gardens. It flowers exceptionally well in spring. This tree is between Sophora prostrata to the 
south and Sophora longicarinata to the north. 
 
 small tree west of the 
Nursery in Farm Road and south of the Horticultural Teaching lab ? eastern end.  
Sophora japonica   (pagoda tree, Japanese pagoda tree, Chinese scholar tree) 
 
This is the only example of the species growing on campus. It is growing to the south corner 
of the eastern side of Forbes. This tree is a medium sized, deciduous broadleaf tree with a 
rounded form, from the legume family. It originates from China and Korea, not Japan as the 
specific epithet might suggest, although it is apparently widely grown there. This species is 
closely related to the native New Zealand species of our predominantly yellow flowered 
kowhai, with many examples of species represented on campus. These include Sophora 
microphylla, S. tetraptera, S. prostrata, S. fulvida, S. longicarinata and a number of hybrid 
and cultivar forms. Sophora japonica has large alternately arranged, pinnately compound 
leaves of 9 to 17 leaflets up to 25cm long. Typical of many legumes it has small pea like 
creamy - white flowers in panicles of 15 to 25cm in late summer these are followed by small 
pods. The flowering qualities of this species improve with age. 
 
 large tree middle right, smaller tree lower 
left is Prunus x yedoensis between Hilgendorf and the south west of Forbes 
 
 alternate, pinnately compound 
leaves 
Sophora longicarinata   (kowhai) 
 
This is a very fine leaved species planted at the south eastern corner of the Hort. Teaching 
lab in the early 1980?s from seed obtained from a tree in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. 
It is a small graceful tree, ideally suited to modern small gardens. It flowers exceptionally 
well in spring. 
 
 tree south east Horticultural Teaching Lab. Farm Rd 
 
 numerous very fine 
leaflets 
Sophora microphylla   (kowhai, South Island kowhai) 
 
This is a commonly planted species on campus. It has a divaricating stage of growth when it 
is young, before growing in a more erect manner as it develops its adult growth phase. 
Examples can be seen to the south of Burns wing, in the Rose garden, near the NRE 
walkway and other areas.  
 
 north east Lodge. Usually has a distinct divaricating stage as 
a young plant. 
 
 flowers and pinnately compound leaves 
Sophora prostrata   (kowhai) 
 
This is a small bun shaped shrub rather than a tree, but it shold be included with the others 
here. It tends to be quite a tangled divaricating plant with flowers that form inside the 
zigzagging branches. It is easily recognised by its form growing to about three metres across 
and slightly less in height. It is also different to other New Zealand species as the standard 
petal is distinctly orange. Examples of this are at the south eastern end of the Hort Teaching 
lab. (planted 1986), north of McCaskill and in the Amenity area. The specimen in the 
Amenity area was planted as Sophora prostrata ?Little Baby? and was planted in 1991. 
 
 
A bun shaped shrub with divaricating branches, flowers are often within the branches at the 
south east end of the Horticultural Teaching Lab in Farm Rd. 
 
 
flowers have an orange standard petal, alternately arranged pinnately compound leaves are 
smaller than any of the other species 
Sophora tetraptera   (kowhai, North Island kowhai) 
 
This is the largest leafed of the New Zealand kowhais. It has usually less than twenty pairs 
of leaflets, whilst the other common kowhai Sophora microphylla has smaller leaflets and 
usually greater than twenty pairs. There are however hybrids where the species meet, so 
identification can be difficult. This species tends to be less divaricating when young than 
Sophora microphylla, it is generally more formal and upright in appearance. Sophora 
tetraptera tends to flower only in spring, about October, whilst Sophora microphylla flowers 
over a wider range of months from autumn through to the end of spring.  
 
Flowers and larger 
leaflets of the pinnately compound leaves, doesn?t have a strong divaricating juvenile growth 
stage. There are lots of intermediate hybrid seedling forms between the NZ species. 
 
 kowhai at the eastern end of the Horticultural 
Teaching Lab. 
Sorbus aria ?Lutescens?   (whitebeam) 
 
This tree was planted in the Amenity area, in 1991 but appears to have suffered from 
injudicious use of herbicide around its base and may need to be removed. A second tree of 
this sort has been planted on the south side of the Commerce building in 1991 and is doing 
well. This species grows to about ten metres or so and is mainly attractive because of its soft 
silvery leaves. It is deciduous like all other Sorbus species. It is a native of central and 
southern Europe. This species has simple leaves, unlike most other Sorbus spp. that have 
pinnately compound leaves. It has an ovate or rounded form. Flowers are small and white in 
November. It has pale yellow autumn foliage for a brief time. 
 
 
 This tree was in the Amenity area, but has 
died and needs to be removed. There is another younger example that has been planted on 
the south side of the Commerce Building at the eastern end of the car park within the last 
couple of years 
Sorbus aucuparia   (rowan tree, mountain ash) 
 
This is a small tree from the Rosaceae family growing as a lawn specimen on the west side 
of Hudson Hall. There are other specimens notably one to the east side of Orchard carpark 
planted in the mid 1990?s and another much older specimen about midway in the Betula 
border. Rowan trees are fast growing, somewhat upright in habit and growing four to six 
metres or so in height (occasionally more). They seem susceptible to wind throw in good 
soils, but not so in much poorer soil. They are relatively fast growing and often develop 
multiple stems. They have creamy white flowers around November and are followed by red 
berries in mid to late summer. Leaves are pinnately compound. There are a number of 
cultivars grown with variations in the colour of the fruit. Europe, Asia Minor. 
 
 opposite western side of Hudson Hall 
 
  
flowers late spring and pinnately compound leaves 
Sorbus hupehensis   (Hupeh rowan) 
 
This is a small tree planted in the Amenity area in April 2001, it was a donation from Dudley 
Franklin a visitor I had shown around the area previously. It is just to the north of the red 
photinia hedge within a small collection of species from the Rosaceae family. This tree has 
good autumn foliage. Fruit is a pink colour.  
 
 tree at the northern end of the hedges in the Amenity 
area 
 
  
pink fruit late summer and autumn 
 
Sorbus insignis x S. foliosa ?Ghose? 
 
This tree was donated to the Amenity area by James Stuart a student in August 1990. This 
tree grew rapidly and was multi branched at the base. It eventually blew apart in a southerly 
storm. Two suckers that redeveloped from the damage were selected in 1998 and allowed to 
grow since. The pinnately compound leaves are distinctly bluish beneath. It has white 
flowers around late October to mid November followed with large clusters of red fruit. This is 
a very attractive upright small tree to about five metres.  
 
 tree growing in the Amenity area in the block s.w. of the 
pond 
 
 alternately arranged, 
pinnately compound leaves 
 
Styrax japonicum   (snowbell, silverbells, storax) 
 
Styrax japonicum is a small, deciduous tree of about 5m in height in the border that runs 
between the eastern end of the Commerce Building and the south of Burns wing. It usually 
has a rounded crown, but this specimen appears to be somewhat drawn up, possibly 
because of the many other larger trees in the vicinity. This tree is situated near the path, 
roughly equal with the south end of the Lodge. The glabrous leaves are alternately arranged 
on the branches, they are oval to elliptic shaped, sparsely toothed on a wavy margin, shiny 
green above, paler below up to about 8 cm long and half as wide on petioles up to 8mm or 
so. Pinnate to reticulate veins are evident on both surfaces, slightly more so above. This 
species flowers in late spring or early summer. It has white flowers with five petals about 
12mm long, flowers are clustered closely beneath the branches singly or in racemes of 3 or 
4, flowers are followed by ovoid to round berries on long stalks, containing a single seed in 
the summer. Snowbell is a native of Japan, Korea and China. A second tree is in the 
amenity area and has a more typical dome shaped crown. 
 tree leaning to the right in the centre of the picture e. path n. Commerce 
 
  flower buds about to burst mid November 
 
 autumn fruit ? tree in the Amenity area 
Styrax obassia 
 
This is a small tree planted in the amenity area. It is a native of Japan, Korea and China. 
This species is planted just to the south of Styrax japonica and differs by having more 
rounded leaves. It also has white flowers in long spreading racemes up to 150mm or so in 
length in summer. 
 
 small tree in block south of the pond on 
the eastern side in the Amenity area 
 
 simple, broad obovate leaves 
Taxus baccata   (yew) 
 
The specimen below is seen to the north west of the Lodge. I am not sure how old this 
specimen is, but I guess it could be at least 50-60 years. Some yews in the UK estimated to 
be over 4000 years old. The leaves appear dense and close set on the branches. The 
leaves are narrow, linear, sometimes falcate or twisted at the base of the short petiole. They 
are spirally arranged and about 25-40mm long by 2-3mm wide, they are a dark glossy green 
above and paler below with a distinct midrib. The leaf apex is acute. Male cones and female 
arils are produced on separate trees, the aril being very distinct with scarlet flesh and a 
naked seed located within. The male cones are visually significant, but not as obvious, they 
are produced in clusters up to 4mm across and are a pale brown colour. In the last couple of 
decades or so yew trees have become important as a source of the toxic alkaloid taxol or 
taxine - an important drug in the fight against cancer. Yews are also associated with 
poisoning of livestock and famous for wood used to manufacture bows. Yews are tolerant of 
clipping and make good formal hedges. 
 
 tree to west of north side of Lodge 
 
 leaves and arils (female cones) 
 
 male cones 
Taxus baccata ?Dovastonia?  (uncertain if this is the actual cultivar) 
 
This example is growing in the Amenity area in the collection of Taxaceae toward the north 
west corner. This specimen struggles from dry conditions in the summer planted over a hard 
pan in that part of the paddock. This spreading form occupies many metres of ground area 
compared to a very fastigiated seedling of the Irish yew planted next to it. 
 
 
  
 
Wide spreading form -?Dovastonia? ? north-west corner of Amenity Horticulture area 
Taxus baccata ?Fastigiata? (Irish yew) 
 
There are two very formal looking evergreen gymnosperms at either side of the main 
entrance to the Loge on the north side of the building. These fastigiate forms are the natural 
habit of the Irish yew (Taxus baccata ?Fastigiata?).  
 
 Irish yews on the west side of Hudson Hall 
 
 Irish yews either side of the Lodge entrance 
 
Taxodium distichum  swamp cypress 
 
  
Specimen on left is in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, there are 2 examples at Lincoln, 
one in the Betula border and the other in the Amenity area 
 
Foliage detail  
 
  
note the double leader in the Betula border which may present future problems unless it is 
dealt with 
Tetradium daniellii   (syn. Evodia daniellii) 
 
This is a small deciduous tree near the old pergola at the western entrance to the old formal 
garden. (This tree is major need of some attention as it is currently in danger of falling apart). 
Some other examples are planted in the south end of the Orchard car park and one to the 
north of the Hort. Teaching lab. These trees were planted in the 1990?s and the sheltered 
tree in the old Formal Garden has grown twice as fast as the two in the more exposed 
Orchard car park and to the north of the Hort. Teaching lab. Tetradium belongs in the 
Rutaceae family, which also includes oranges and lemons and other citrus fruit. On campus 
Choisya ternata (Mexican orange blossom) also belongs to the Rutaceae and since the early 
1970?s has been a popular and commonly planted shrub. Tetradium daniellii has large 
pinnately compound leaves of more than 30cm or so with up to 11 leaflets. The leaves are 
glossy green, although when young are hairy and have a bluish ? green colour. The tree is 
about 5m in height with a similar spread in the old Formal Garden with a rounded top. At 
maturity it is suggested these trees can grow to 20m or so. This species flowers in late 
summer or early autumn, flowers are white in terminal panicles up to 150mm across. It is a 
native of south west China and Korea. This species appears perfectly hardy at Lincoln, but 
does best in an area sheltered from strong winds. 
 
  
this particular tree has badly split and may be better removed, however this sheltered site 
has been an ideal choice. The tree to the n. of the HTL and the Orchard car park trees have 
struggled. 
 
 
Flowering mid summer to mid autumn 
 
Thuja occidentalis ?Pyramidalis? 
 
This is an upright growing cultivar growing in the collection of the Cupressaceae family in the 
Amenity area. This specimen was planted in 1992 and has grown well in this site. It is a 
native of eastern USA. There is a younger example planted near the northern most 
entranceway in to Hudson Hall from the eastern side. 
 part of the conifer collection in the Amenity area 
 
 female cones and foliage 
Thuja plicata   (western red cedar) 
 
Western red cedar forms much of the Springs Road planting east of the Lodge between 
Burns wing south and the eastern end of the Commerce building going north. Western red 
cedars are moderately fast growing, ultimately, large evergreen conifers with a conical form 
that may become open or broader at the top with age. They belong to the Cupressaceae 
family and are related to other species such as macrocarpa, Lawson?s cypress, Leyland 
cypress and the New Zealand Libocedrus species, all of which are also represented on 
campus at Lincoln. Thuja plicata originate from western parts of North America. The leaves 
of the western red cedar are small and scale like in flattened sprays, they are opposite and 
decussate. If you crush the foliage it has a very pleasant sweet fruity fragrance, some 
suggest it is like pineapple. The leaves are a glossy green, with some white markings below. 
Male and female cones are produced separately on the same tree, the female cones are 
upright, about 1cm in length with about 10 valvate scales, the male cones are pale yellow 
and very small clustered at the tips of the branches. The bark is a red ? brown colour that 
peels in strips vertically. Overseas this is a highly valued timber tree, in New Zealand it is 
mainly grown for shelter or as a large specimen tree for large gardens or parks. 
 
 female cones and scale like leaves  
 
 Specimen shown left - Christchurch Botanic Gardens 
 
  Thuja plicata ?Aurea? s.w. of Forbes. 
Thujopsis dolabrata   (hiba arborvitae) 
 
There are a few examples of this species on campus. The largest tree which used to be at 
the north end of Colombo Hall was removed some years ago to put in solar panels. The 
larger of the remaining trees is to the south east of the round garden at the eastern end of 
the library. Another tree is located in the Cupressaceae family collection in the Amenity area. 
This tree was a cutting from the tree to the north of Colombo Hall. The scale like leaves and 
cones are larger in all dimensions than the closely related thujas. This tree is variegated.  
 
 young tree to south east of Burns Wing 
 
 cones and foliage detail 
 
  
Thujopsis dolabrata ?Variegata? east side of north entrance to the old Formal Garden. 
Tilia x vulgaris  syn. T. x europaea   (European lime, common lime) 
 
The European lime is thought to be a hybrid between the small leafed lime Tilia platyphyllos  
and the large leafed lime T. cordata. The European lime is a medium to large deciduous 
broadleaf tree that always exhibits a tidy rounded - oval form. It is frequently used as an 
avenue tree or a specimen tree it is also used for shelter and has some specialty timber 
values. The timber is a satiny white colour. Lime trees usually provides good autumn foliage 
in Canterbury, the leaves are moderately large, alternately arranged with an uneven heart 
shaped base. Limes have thumbnail sized creamy-white flowers in early summer, these 
have been suggested as being valuable bee fodder trees, flowering at a time when few other 
trees are in flower. The flowers are produced in small clusters of three to five attached to an 
elongated creamy white or greenish bract. The nut like fruits (capsules) that develop from 
the flowers are also seen in late summer and autumn making this an easy tree to identify. 
Lime trees are among the most commonly planted trees on campus. There is a very large 
example to the north of the Commerce Building, although this tree is showing signs of decay, 
other examples can be seen lining Calder Drive, as a single specimen at the south-west end 
of Hilgendorf and in the same general area as a ?pleach like? hedge form. 
 
 n. e Commerce 
 
 leaves, floral bracts and capsules early autumn 
Torreya californica   (Californian nutmeg-yew) 
 
This is a relatively uncommon species in the Taxaceae family. This example is in the south 
west corner of the small collection of the Taxaceae in the Amenity area.  
 
 south of Taxaceae collection in the Amenity area 
 
 needles 
Trachycarpus fortunei   (Chusan palm or Chinese fan palm) 
 
This palm is also hardy in Canterbury and can be seen as a signature plant in some of the 
old Buxton gardens around New Zealand and also in some of the gardens designed by 
Edgar Taylor. Edgar Taylor was the son of Ambrose Taylor who was an early curator of the 
Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Edgar Taylor worked for Alfred Buxton and was the first 
Landscape Architect appointed by the Christchurch City Council. Taylor was responsible for 
some of Christchurch?s old gardens such as the Sanitarium Health Food Company gardens 
in Papanui Road where the paired Chusan palms can still be seen growing. This palm can 
be described as a fan shaped palm based on the leaf shape. The trunk of this species 
displays dark woolly hair and becomes something of an elongated lollipop shape over time 
as the lower leaves are shed. 
 
 
Located in the Amenity area near the garage 
Ulmus carpinifolia ?Variegata?   (European field elm, smooth leaved elm) 
 
There are a number of these trees planted on the campus, the oldest is probably at the 
western end of Orchard Hall. Another much more recently planted example is on the western 
side of Stewart Building toward the northern end. This is an elm that has become more 
common in Christchurch and surrounding areas over the last 20-30 years. It is a large 
pyramidal to oval shaped deciduous broadleaf tree with attractive leaf colouring. The leaves 
are speckled green and white, really bright and obvious above, much paler below. Branches 
are strongly upright. This cultivar is hardy and appears to be generally free of any pest and 
disease problems. It is also hardy in full sun, whereas many plants with large areas of white 
or cream in the leaves are burnt in full sun. This species has large simple leaves, alternately 
arranged on the stem. The leaves have a serrated margin and the pinnately arranged veins 
are obvious above and below. The leaves have a strongly oblique base. The lamina is up to 
90mm by 37mm across, the petiole is approximately 12mm. The petiole is pale green and 
slightly hairy. 
 
 tree in courtyard between Hilgendorf and Burns 
 
  
distinctively marked leaves, simple, alternately arranged. 
Ulmus glabra ?Camperdown?   (Camperdown elm, wych elm) 
 
There are about forty five species of elm, most of those are trees, a few are shrubs. Elms 
are often large deciduous trees with alternate, simple leaves. The leaves of elms are 
generally rough to the touch, are serrated or toothed in some way and have an oblique 
(uneven) base. Flowers usually occur in early spring, before the leaves appear and they 
contain both male and female parts in the same flower. Seeds of the wych elm are usually 
fertile, although this cultivar needs to be vegetatively propagated to produce a tree with the 
same form as this. The flowers are often small and not very significant in a visual sense. The 
fruit is a winged samara. ?Camperdown? is a cultivar of the wych elm selected for its dome 
shape appearance and weeping branches. The tree in leaf is something like a narrow open 
umbrella in form, when it has no leaves the branching form is fascinating, with steeply 
ascending branches, that then seem to be uncertain which direction to grow, before drooping 
sharply. Mitchell describes it as ?A broad head of tortuous branches grafted onto a straight 
bole of Ulmus glabra and weeping to the ground in a bower all around it.? The wych elm 
originates from North and Central Europe to Asia Minor. 
 
 n. e. of Lodge 
 
 winged samaras developing in spring 
Ulmus parvifolia   (Chinese elm) 
 
There are at least two specimens of Chinese elm on campus the older and larger of the two 
is in a group of trees at the north east corner of the row of holm oaks (Quercus ilex), the 
other specimen is in the Betula border. The Chinese elm is a medium sized deciduous tree 
with a moderate growth rate at Lincoln. The leaves are simple, alternately arranged, 
approximately 30mm long x 15mm across on petioles of about 3-5mm. The petioles are 
usually hairy, at least on young leaves. The leaves appear glabrous with 7 or 8 sub-opposite 
pairs of veins raised beneath, less obvious above. The margins are serrate, the leaf base is 
often oblique, not always. The upper side of the lamina is dark green, paler beneath. Young 
twigs are an olive green with white lenticels. Tiny flowers can be seen in the axils of the 
leaves on the shoots toward the tips of the stem in late summer and early autumn.  
 
  
Specimen at north east end of the row of holm oak. 
 
 
Note the tiny flowers clustered in the leaf axils 
Washingtonia robusta   (southern washingtonia, Mexican washingtonia) 
 
This is the least hardy of the palms growing in the Amenity area, although it has withstood 
some very heavy frost of minus 10°C or more. It is hardier than the New Zealand nikau palm 
which was also grown in this area and could not survive the frosts. (Seed of the nikau was 
sourced from near Akaroa). This is also a fan palm, but differs from the Chusan palm with its 
sharply serrated petiole. 
 
 
Located in the Amenity area near the garage 
 Zelkova serrata   (Japanese zelkova, saw leaf zelkova) 
 
There is just one example of this species on campus toward the extreme eastern end of the 
Betula border. This is a medium to large sized rounded topped, spreading, deciduous tree 
from the elm family (Ulmaceae). It is a native of Japan, Taiwan and Eastern China. It has 
simple, alternately arranged leaves with coarsely serrate margins, each tipped with fine 
mucro. Leaves are approximately 8cm long by 2-3cm across, although can occasionally be 
up to 12cm long. Leaf shape is narrowly ovate to lanceolate, some pubescence above and 
on veins below, upper surface dull green, paler beneath, petioles are up to 6mm long. 
Flowers are described as polygamo-dioecious meaning some male and female flowers may 
be found on the same tree, or separately on different trees. Flowers are small and not 
showy, followed by dry nut like drupes from late spring. Zelkova serrata is a handsome tree 
where it is given sufficient space to grow, it has reasonable autumn colour. 
 
 eastern end of Betula border 
 
 toothed leaves