Athrotaxis cupressoides (Pencil Pine)

Family
Cupressaceae

Genus
Athrotaxis are evergreen conifers with reddish-brown, stringy bark and small, scale-like leaves arranged spirally on the shoots; small green cones ripen in the second year to dull orange.

This species is native to Australia — Tasmania, where it grows at 2,200 to 4,000 feet (700 – 1,300 m) of elevation. The species is threatened, with the major cause of decline being out-of-control bush fires set to clear logging debris after timber harvests in nearby Eucalyptus forests; a large proportion of the species' range was severely affected by major fires in 1960 – 1961. Disease caused by Phytophthora species has also been identified as a cause of dieback. Regeneration is also hampered by introduced sheep and rabbits.

Away from its native range, it is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental tree in northwestern Europe.

Soil Type: Normal, heavy clay, light sandy, chalk, loam

Aspect: Full sun.
Foliage Type: Evergreen.
Foliage Colour: Green/reddish brown
Pot Size: 10 litre 
Ultimate Height: 4m in 10 years 
Growth Rate: 10 years.
Special Attributes: very rare