A wide spreading, tall, deciduous shrub. Vigorous growth, leaves & white flowers in spring, eaten by native pigeons. Foliage can be cut for grazing stock in droughts. fixes nitrogen. Can be killed by severe frosts. Topped.

Single stem initially, then branched with strap-like leaves, evergreen. Tolerates a wide range of sites, including coastal and swampy sites. Our selection is from a cold inland Canterbury site.

Broadly spreading, evergreen. Tough shelter shrub for exposed and coastal conditions but is too frost tender for inland South Island areas. Wood is hard and black, streaked with white.

Britain, Europe, Caucasus & Alborz Mts. (Iran). Broadly columnar, deciduous tree with stout greenish-grey shoots with jet black buds. Leaves with 7-13 coarsely serrate leaflets, late into leaf & early to fall. Flowers before the leaves, developing into bunches of 'keys'. Vigorous grower, best on deep moist to wet soils but tolerates much drier soils, enjoys limestone. Valuable light coloured hardwood timber for tool handles, sports goods, and joinery. Steams and bends well. Coppices readily, producing straight poles and rods. Great firewood, burns cut green.