Nothofagus cunninghamii aka Antarctic Beech

Nothofagus cunninghamii belongs to the Nothofagaceae family. This evergreen tree keeps its leaves all year. People call it myrtle beech or Tasmanian beech. It grows wild in Tasmania and southern Victoria, Australia. It lives in damp sites sheltered within temperate rainforests. Wild plants range from shrubs to very large trees. Rainfall and height above sea level help shape their size.

This tree grows fast and can reach 180 feet [55 metres]. This is its potential height as a large tree. It is not a stated size for garden trees. Check size before planting, as wild forms vary so much. The sources give no firm width for full-grown garden trees. Each plant bears both male and female flowers. Each flower has one sex, not both. Wind moves pollen from one flower to the next. The evidence gives no bloom season or fruit details for this species.

Choose a sunny site with moist soil that drains well. An open loam suits it, but sand and clay work too. It prefers soil from slightly acid to neutral, around pH 5–7. It dislikes soil rich in lime and acid peat. PFAF says it cannot grow in shade. Its rainforest home also shows the value of shelter. Trees in Britain may not stand up well to wind. Where the site suits it, one suggested use is a woodland canopy.

Take care when judging how much cold it can bear. PFAF lists USDA zones 8–11 for this species. Reports from Australian gardens record survival at about 19°F [−7°C]. This limit may not hold in British gardens. Cooler summers can affect how well the tree grows. So can winters that last longer and bring more rain. PFAF places outdoor planting chiefly in Britain's milder areas. It also notes strong young plants in western Scotland. These reports show that local conditions matter, not just winter lows.

The wood is strong, tough, light, and close-grained. It takes a good polish. People use it for furniture and joinery. They also used it for wheel cogs in the past. PFAF lists no known uses for food or medicine. It reports no known hazards but gives no specific pet-safety review. Growers can raise plants from seed, half-ripe cuttings, or layers. Protect young seedlings through their first winter. Plant them out after the last expected frost.