Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine)

Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine) is a medium to large, coniferous evergreen tree of erect, open-airy habit with pendant branches covered with narrow, fine-textured, soft gray-green leaves of fern-like appearance. African Fern Pine is dioecious with separate male and female plants. Small fleshy, greenish-yellow to purple, plum-like cones are produced. Adaptable to most soils, African Fern Pine is often used as a hedge or screening tree. It also makes a great container specimen when in youth.

• Grows up to 40-60 ft. tall (12-18 m) and 20-25 ft. wide (6-8 m). Grows 12 to 36 in. per year (30-90 cm). It can be pruned to maintain a smaller size.
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in slightly acidic, humusy, well-drained soils. Adaptable to a wide range of soils, including clay and sand. Water regularly, as this species is not drought tolerant. Seaside tolerance.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
• Takes well to pruning and shearing.
• Male Podocarpus spp. are highly allergenic with a top OPALS allergy-scale rating of 10. In contrast, entirely female Podocarpus plants score a low OPALS rating of 1, capturing pollen without producing any, making them “allergy-fighting”.
• Native to Eastern South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.