Conifer Trees Database

Description. New Guinea sickle pine is an evergreen coniferous species of tree that grows to mature heights of 20 to 70 feet (6 - 22 m), with a trunk from 3.2 to 24 inches (8 - 40 cm) in diameter, measured at breast height. Crown is broadly dome-shaped and branches are slender with numerous branchlets densely clothed with foliage.

• Bark is redish brown in color, weathering gray to dark brown and flaking into distinct scales.
• Seedling leaves measure 0.024 to 0.72 inch (6 - 18 mm) by 0.024 to 0.032 inch (0.6 - 0.8 mm). They are the same as the smaller adult leaves, but glaucous beneath.
• Adult leaves have a falcate (sickle) shape and then more or less linear in the distal part of the leaf or tapering slightly, narrowing almost abruptly to an apiculate apex, the apex occasionally bent slightly forward. Individual needles measure 0.4 to 0.8 inch (10 - 20 mm) long by 0.08 to 0.16 inch (2 - 4 mm) broad.
• Pollen cones measure 0.2 to 0.52 inch (5 - 13 mm) long and 0.08 to 0.1 inch (2 - 2.5 mm) in diameter.
• Seed cones with included popocarpium measure 0.24 to 0.28 inch (6 - 7 mm) long and are black at maturity.

Distribution. This species is native to New Guinea, growing in moist mountain forests at elevations of 5,000 to 7,500 feet (1,500 - 2,400 m) above sea level. It grows naturally in the forest understory; typical associates include Nothofagus, Myrtaceae and other Podocarpaceae.

Hardy to USDA Zone 9 - cold hardiness limit between 20° and 30°F (-6.6° and -1.1°C).