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Libocedrus plumosa is a tall dioecious evergreen conifer which grows to three meters within 10 years and up 20m. It grows into a pyramidal form, though as it reaches maturity the crown may round and spread somewhat. Foliage is a rich mid-green with flat scale-like leaves forming planar sprays in tiers which produce the ‘feathery’ look. The greyish trunk is straight tapering evenly as it grows, and characteristically shedding long strips of bark.
Kawaka doesn’t flower, producing woody cones instead at branchlet tips from July to September. Female cones are 1.5cm long and mature by the following June. They carry two, although sometimes four, winged seeds which are released when the cone matures, and are dispersed by wind.
Kawaka is endemic and restricted from Te Paki in the Far North to approximately Gisborne and Taranaki, but then reappears, again quite restricted in the northwest of the South Island around Golden Bay. It copes well with poor, infertile soils and in the wild is generally found on lowland or lower hills below 700m. Often found on ridges and spurs and near slips, Kawaka will colonise rich fertile soils in the open but needs good moisture, cool roots and prefers some shade to flourish.
It is hardy, will tolerate drought, and is surprisingly frost resistant. L.plumosa is not well-known today but its beautiful foliage makes it an ideal specimen tree for garden or park and also makes an attractive fragrant hedge
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