Coprosma arborea
Coprosma arborea, also known as mamangi or tree coprosma, is a species among New Zealand's native trees endemic to New Zealand, primarily found in the upper half of the North Island and the Three Kings Islands. It is the largest species within the Coprosma genus and can grow up to 10-12 meters tall in its natural forest habitat, with a trunk diameter of 20-50 cm. The leaves are typically small, roundish, and thin, growing in pairs. Adult leaves are generally 50-80 mm by 30-48 mm, ovate to broad-elliptic or oblong, and can be yellow-green to dark green above, often mottled with maroon or purple, and pale wine-red below. The female trees produce translucent, glassy white, broad-oblong, fleshy drupes (stone fruit) that are 6-8 mm long. These fruits are non-poisonous and are a favorite food source for birds. It thrives in coastal to lower montane forests, often forming part of the sub-canopy in kauri forests or mixed pohutukawa-hardwood forests.
| Scientific Name | Coprosma arborea |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Tree Coprosma, Mamangi |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Height | Up to 12 m |
| Spread | 4-6 m |
| Water Needs | Moderate, tolerates some drought |
| Light | Full sun to semi-shade |
| Frost Tolerance | Hardy once established |
| Salt Tolerance | Low; requires protection from salt exposure |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to fast |
| Lifespan | Long-lived |
Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea) is naturally found in the northern half of New Zealand's North Island, from sea level to about 600m elevation. It thrives in temperate maritime climates with mild temperatures and moderate to high humidity. This adaptable tree performs best in areas with consistent moisture and protection from extreme weather conditions.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Ideal |
| Auckland | Ideal |
| Hamilton | Ideal |
| Tauranga | Ideal |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Ideal |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Ideal |
| Whanganui | Ideal |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Ideal |
| Dunedin | Ideal |
| Invercargill | Ideal |
This tree prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil but is adaptable to a range of soil types once established. It thrives in soils with good organic content. Good drainage is important to prevent root issues.
Tree Coprosma is happy in a semi-shaded position, mimicking its natural habitat as a subcanopy tree. However, it is also tolerant of full sun once it is established, making it a versatile choice for many garden situations.
While it has good drought tolerance once mature, Tree Coprosma benefits from regular watering during its establishment phase and during long, dry periods. It prefers a humid environment with slightly moist soil.
Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea) is a versatile and attractive native tree that brings year-round interest to New Zealand gardens. Its distinctive fiddle-shaped leaves and bright orange berries make it both ornamental and ecologically valuable.
Known to Māori as Mamangi, Tree Coprosma holds cultural significance as both a food source and an indicator of fertile soil quality in traditional land management.
Ecologically, Tree Coprosma plays a crucial role in northern North Island forest ecosystems, serving as both a food source for wildlife and a structural component of forest communities.
New growth begins. This is an ideal time for planting and applying a general-purpose native plant fertilizer to encourage strong growth. Check for any winter damage and prune if necessary.
Ensure young plants are well-watered during dry spells. The tree is in full leaf and provides good shade. Monitor for pest activity during the warmer months.
The vibrant orange berries ripen, providing a feast for native birds. This is a good time to collect seeds for propagation. Leaves may begin their golden winter transformation.
The leaves may take on a beautiful golden-yellow hue. Pruning for shape can be done during the dormant winter period. Protect young plants from severe frost.
Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea) generally requires minimal pruning to maintain its natural, attractive form. This tree naturally develops a pleasing shape with little intervention.
This tree's natural form is part of its appeal, so heavy pruning is rarely necessary or recommended.
The best time to plant Tree Coprosma is in autumn or spring, when the soil is moist and temperatures are mild. This allows the tree to establish before facing summer heat or winter cold.
Select a site with well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. Allow enough space for the tree to reach its mature size. It is a great choice for a specimen tree or as part of a mixed native border.
Dig a hole twice the width of the pot. Add some compost to the soil. Place the plant in the hole, making sure it is at the same depth as in the pot. Backfill with soil, firm gently, and water thoroughly.
Fresh berry propagation represents the most reliable and efficient method for growing Tree Coprosma, taking advantage of this forest species' natural reproductive strategy while ensuring optimal germination rates through proper seed processing techniques. This majestic northern native produces abundant translucent, glassy white berries containing two small seeds that provide excellent opportunities for large-scale propagation essential for restoration projects and forest establishment. The species' role as a crucial food source for native birds means that berry collection timing must balance human propagation needs with wildlife feeding requirements, demonstrating the interconnected nature of forest ecosystem management. Fresh berries provide significantly higher germination success compared to stored seeds, making immediate processing and sowing the preferred approach for both commercial and conservation propagation programs. Collect ripe berries during autumn when they naturally fall or can be easily picked from branches, timing collection to coincide with peak ripeness when seeds have achieved maximum viability without delaying so long that birds consume the entire crop. Choose berries that are fully developed, translucent, and slightly soft to touch, avoiding any that show signs of damage, disease, or premature dropping that might indicate poor seed quality or viability problems. Process berries immediately after collection by removing all flesh through thorough washing, using gentle rubbing and multiple rinses to eliminate all fruit material that could inhibit germination or promote fungal growth during the germination process. Separate seeds from pulp by placing berries in water and gently mashing to release seeds, then washing away fruit debris while retaining the small, dark seeds that sink to the bottom of washing containers. Prepare optimal germination medium using well-draining seed-raising mix with excellent moisture retention characteristics, incorporating organic matter and ensuring pH levels between 6.0-7.0 that support healthy seedling development for this forest species. Sow fresh seeds immediately after processing, placing them 5mm deep in moist growing medium while maintaining consistent moisture throughout the germination period without creating waterlogged conditions that can prevent successful emergence. Provide optimal environmental conditions including consistent temperatures between 15-20°C and bright, indirect light that replicates the filtered forest conditions where this species naturally regenerates under mature canopy cover. Maintain careful moisture management throughout the 4-8 week germination period, ensuring growing medium remains consistently moist but never saturated while monitoring for early signs of seedling emergence. Young seedlings develop moderate growth rates while establishing the root systems necessary for eventual forest canopy development, requiring protection from direct sunlight and environmental stress during early establishment phases. Transplant successful seedlings when they reach 5-10cm height and have developed sufficient root systems to handle garden conditions, providing optimal growing environments that support the transition from nursery to permanent planting locations.
Semi-hardwood cutting propagation offers a valuable vegetative method for growing Tree Coprosma that preserves the exact genetic characteristics of superior parent plants while providing reliable results for experienced propagators working with forest restoration and conservation projects. This approach is particularly beneficial for maintaining exceptional specimens that demonstrate superior growth characteristics, disease resistance, or adaptation to specific environmental conditions that can be preserved through careful vegetative propagation techniques. The method works well with Tree Coprosma because of the species' natural ability to develop adventitious roots when growing conditions favor vegetative reproduction, making it suitable for both commercial and conservation propagation programs. Take semi-hardwood cuttings during late summer to early autumn when current season's growth has achieved optimal maturity for rooting while retaining sufficient vigor for successful establishment under controlled propagation conditions. Select healthy, vigorous shoots from the middle portions of branches that show the characteristic pale bark and fiddle-shaped leaves typical of healthy Tree Coprosma development, avoiding both very soft growth and completely hardened wood that may be resistant to rooting. Cut sections 10-15cm in length with clean, sharp secateurs, ensuring each cutting includes at least 2-3 nodes while selecting material that represents the best characteristics of the parent plant including robust growth habit and healthy foliage development. Remove lower leaves carefully to reduce transpiration stress while retaining sufficient photosynthetic capacity in upper leaves, taking care not to damage the distinctive fiddle-shaped foliage that characterizes this species and provides energy for root development. Apply rooting hormone powder or solution immediately after preparation, using formulations appropriate for semi-hardwood cuttings to enhance root initiation while ensuring even coverage of cut surfaces where new roots will develop. Insert prepared cuttings into well-draining cutting mix composed of equal parts quality propagation medium and coarse sand, ensuring excellent drainage while maintaining the consistent moisture levels essential for successful root development without creating waterlogged conditions. Maintain optimal environmental conditions including high humidity (75-85%) and consistent temperatures around 18-20°C using humidity domes, misting systems, or other controlled environment techniques that support root development while preventing cutting stress. Provide bright, indirect light that supports photosynthesis without causing excessive transpiration stress, replicating the filtered forest conditions where this species naturally thrives as a forest understory tree. Monitor cutting development throughout the 8-12 week rooting period, maintaining consistent environmental conditions while watching for signs of root development including new shoot growth and resistance when gently tugged. Root development occurs gradually as cuttings establish the extensive root systems necessary for supporting the eventual tree-sized growth characteristic of mature Tree Coprosma specimens in forest environments. This method provides excellent results for experienced propagators seeking to maintain specific genetic lines while contributing to conservation and restoration efforts that preserve the genetic diversity essential for healthy forest ecosystems.
Forest restoration establishment provides a comprehensive approach to growing Tree Coprosma that focuses on recreating authentic kauri forest and mixed native forest communities while contributing to large-scale ecosystem restoration and conservation efforts. This method is particularly valuable for restoration projects that aim to reestablish the northern North Island forest ecosystems where this species plays crucial ecological roles as both wildlife food source and forest structural component. Tree Coprosma serves as an essential element in authentic forest restoration, providing food for native birds through its translucent berries while contributing to the understory structure that supports diverse forest communities. Begin by identifying suitable restoration sites that provide the environmental conditions typical of this species' natural habitat, including protection from extreme weather, adequate moisture availability, and soil conditions that support forest development over extended time periods. Design restoration plantings that incorporate Tree Coprosma as part of diverse forest communities, combining it with appropriate companion species such as kauri, puriri, and other northern forest natives to create authentic ecosystem relationships. Source plant material through a combination of locally-grown seedlings, fresh berry propagation, and cutting-grown specimens to ensure genetic diversity and adaptation to local environmental conditions that support long-term forest establishment success. Prepare restoration sites by removing invasive vegetation, improving soil conditions through organic matter incorporation, and creating appropriate planting positions that accommodate the mature size and growth requirements of forest trees. Establish initial plantings during optimal seasonal windows in autumn or spring when moisture levels and temperature conditions support rapid establishment before plants face environmental stress from summer heat or winter cold. Space plantings according to forest development goals, with closer spacing for rapid canopy closure and wildlife habitat development, or wider spacing to allow natural forest succession processes to fill gaps over time. Create diverse forest structure by varying planting positions according to mature tree size requirements, placing Tree Coprosma in positions where it can develop its characteristic understory role while supporting the overall forest community development. Integrate with complementary native species that historically occurred in kauri and mixed native forests, creating plant communities that provide enhanced wildlife habitat, soil stability, and authentic forest ecosystem functions. Monitor establishment success and provide appropriate maintenance including weed control, supplemental watering during dry periods, and protection from browsing animals that could damage developing forest communities. Allow natural forest processes including seed dispersal, natural regeneration, and succession to enhance initial plantings, creating dynamic forest communities that evolve over time while maintaining the essential ecological functions that Tree Coprosma provides in northern New Zealand forest ecosystems. This approach requires longer time commitments and more intensive management compared to individual tree planting, but creates resilient and sustainable forest systems that provide lasting environmental benefits including wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, and authentic landscape restoration.
Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea) is generally a very hardy and disease-resistant tree with excellent natural resilience. Most problems are easily prevented with appropriate growing conditions.
The key to success is providing good drainage, adequate moisture during establishment, and protection from extreme weather for young plants. Healthy trees in suitable conditions rarely have serious problems.
Plant your Tree Coprosma where you can watch the birds enjoy the orange berries in autumn. The sight of tūī, bellbirds, and kererū feasting on the bright berries while the leaves turn golden is one of the most rewarding experiences of having native trees in your garden. It's like having a wildlife restaurant right outside your window!
Plants with similar habit or use can complement Tree Coprosma in mixed native plantings and habitat restoration.
Understand the natural habitat of Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea), including its geographical distribution, preferred environmental conditions, and the types of forest ecosystems where it thrives. This knowledge is crucial for replicating natural conditions in cultivation.
Delve into the ecological interactions and adaptations of Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea) within its natural forest habitat. This section provides insights into its role in forest succession, its relationships with other species, and its adaptation strategies.
While Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea) is not currently threatened, it represents the importance of conserving kauri forest ecosystems and the diverse plant communities that depend on these specialized habitats for their survival.
A more in-depth look at the specific conditions and care practices required for successfully growing Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea). This section delves into advanced topics and provides comprehensive guidance for enthusiasts and professional growers.
Discover how Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea) can be effectively integrated into various landscaping designs. This section offers creative ideas and practical advice for using this attractive native tree to enhance the beauty and ecological value of your outdoor spaces.
Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea) plays a vital role in northern North Island forest ecosystems, serving as both a crucial food source for native wildlife and an important structural component of kauri forest communities.
Tree Coprosma, or Mamangi (Coprosma arborea), is an elegant, small to medium-sized tree native to the northern half of the North Island. It is easily identified by its pale fawn-grey trunk and its distinctive fiddle-shaped leaves, which often turn a golden-yellow in winter. This adaptable tree is a key species in coastal and lowland forests, particularly under kauri. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers which are followed by clusters of bright orange berries, a favourite food of native birds among New Zealand's native trees.
