What does mahoe look like?
It is often multi-branched from the basal stem, and young branchlets are very soft & brittle. The bark is a greyish-white in colour. Leaves are alternate, 5cm – 13cm long, short-stemmed, bluntly toothed and usually a darker green in colour though this may vary; in early summer leaves appear a yellowish-green hue.
Is mahoe fast growing?
Melicytus ramiflorus, commonly known as whiteywood or mahoe, is one of our most common trees, found in forest and shrub throughout New Zealand and growing quickly to 5m or more. The pointed oval leaves are a bright green, with fresh growth being quite soft and an even brighter green.
Where does mahoe grow?
The genus Melicytus has only four species, of which mahoe occurs in Norfolk, Tonga, and Fiji Islands as well as in New Zealand. It is a small, much-branched tree growing to a height of about 30 ft. In open lowland and lower montane forest throughout the country it is one of the commonest trees.
Is mahoe tree native to nz?
Melicytus ramiflorus is a common New Zealand native also known as Mahoe, it is distinctive by its smooth whitish bark and brittle twigs, hense its common name “Whiteywood”. The Mahoe tree mostly grows in lowland forests around New Zealand and can grow up to 10m high and its trunk can reach a diameter of up to 60cm.
Is Mahoe a good firewood?
Mahoe was used by Maori people to generate a fire. The brittle timber was a popular firewood because it burnt well. Mahoe grow well from seeds or cuttings and can live for more than eighty years.
Can you eat Mahoe berries?
They are not known to be edible to humans, and there is no record of their use by either Māori or Pākehā. Mahoe has a special relationship with fire, and this was believed to be the a result of the actions of Maui – the great trickster god of Polynesian tradition.
What is a Mahoe tree?
The Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus Elatus) is the national tree of Jamaica. It is indigenous to the island and grows quite rapidly, often attaining 20m (66ft) or more in height. In wetter districts it will grow in a wide range of elevations, up to 1200m (4000 ft.) and is often used in reforestation.
What is the best firewood to burn in New Zealand?
Plantation Pine One of the most common firewoods used throughout New Zealand as it comes from pine plantations and burns very cleanly. Thin compact bark. Smooth grained wood, mostly free of knots, light coloured.
What is the fastest growing tree for firewood?
The willow tree, also known as the Usain Bolt of trees, is one of the fastest growing trees in the world. The form is good, and the yield is great, which makes the willow one of the best trees to grow during the year for use as firewood. The willow tree is incredibly easy to grow, and it is also quite inexpensive.
Where does blue mahoe come from?
The blue mahoe tree is indigenous to Jamaica, the only other country where it can be found naturally is Cuba. The “Blue” part of the name comes from the tints of blue in the wood and “Mahoe” is a Carib-Indian word.
What is blue mahoe wood?
The blue mahoe is a beautiful and durable timber that is widely used for cabinet making and also for making decorative objects such as picture frames, bowls and wood carvings. The inner bark of the tree is often referred to as Cuba bark because it was formerly used for tying bundles of Havana cigars..