Wind Tolerant Trees
- Thuja Green Giant is a resilient, fast-growing evergreen conifer admired for its dense, dark green foliage and upright pyramidal form. Propagated from cuttings, it maintains a uniform habit, remains disease-free, making it ideal for consistent planting. Because of its vigour, Thuja Green Giant is widely used for privacy screens and hedges. Moreover, it serves as a successful shelter belt worldwide. Originating in Denmark, this hybrid combines parent species from North America and Japan. In addition, it tolerates a wide range of soils, from sandy to clay, although it dislikes standing water. It also withstands windy sites and thrives best in full sun. For hedging or shelter, plant approximately 1.5–2.0 meters apart. At maturity, Thuja Green Giant reaches around 12 meters tall and 4 meters wide, creating an impressive and lasting landscape feature.
- Populus 'Tasman' - Tasman poplar, is a bold and fast-growing deciduous tree with a broadly columnar shape. During summer, its lush green foliage creates a vibrant canopy. Then, as autumn arrives, the leaves turn a brilliant golden yellow—often earlier than other poplar varieties. Not only visually striking, this tree is also highly functional. It performs exceptionally well in erosion control, large shelter belts, and timber production, thanks to its sturdy form and rapid growth. Moreover, Poplar 'Tasman' thrives in windy and wet conditions, making it ideal for exposed or challenging sites. Its resilience adds long-term value to both rural and urban landscapes. Reaching approximately 20 x 15 metres or more, it offers impressive height and presence. Whether for practical use or aesthetic impact, this tree delivers reliable performance and natural beauty.
- Quercus suber, commonly known as Cork Oak, is a striking evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region. It grows large with a short stem and wide-spreading canopy, making it a bold feature in any landscape. Notably, its thick, rugged bark is deeply fissured and harvested for cork production. This unique trait makes it both functional and visually captivating. The tree displays a gnarled, spreading habit with dark green, leathery leaves that reveal a grayish underside. As a result, it adds texture and contrast throughout the year. Thriving in warm, dry climates, Cork Oak prefers well-drained soils and shows excellent drought tolerance once established. It can reach over 15 metres at full maturity. Moreover, its dramatic form and historical use make it an excellent conversation piece. Interestingly, the Latin word suber translates to “cork bark.”
- Salix babylonica, commonly known as Weeping Willow, is a medium to large deciduous tree with a wide-spreading canopy. Its graceful, pendulous branches carry narrow, light green leaves that cascade to the ground. As autumn arrives, the foliage transforms into a soft yellow, adding seasonal charm. In spring, slender catkins emerge alongside fresh leaves, attracting bees and enhancing biodiversity. Because of its fast growth and tolerance for wet soil, this tree thrives near streams, ponds, or in damp areas. It also makes an excellent shade tree for large gardens or on farmland for livestock. Weeping Willow prefers full sun and typically grows to around 12 metres tall and 12 metres wide, offering both beauty and function
- From the Three Kings Islands, Tecomanthe speciosa is a vigorous climber with large handsome glossy leaves. The large tubular cream flowers are borne in bunches during the winter months. Tui visit flowers for nectar. Frost sensitive but can be grown successfully in colder districts under the shelter of trees. Ideal grown up a terrace pole, strong trellis, up into trees. Takes some years to flower.
- Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Purpurea’ is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. Multi-branched and compact, it features fleshy, palmate leaves in striking dark purple-red tones with three to five leaflets. From December to February, small green flowers appear, followed by dark purple fleshy fruit. These fruits attract birds, adding seasonal interest and wildlife appeal to the garden. This variety prefers moist, well-drained soil but will not tolerate waterlogging. For the best colour, plant in full sun where its foliage shines most vividly. ‘Purpurea’ can be left to grow as a small shade tree. Alternatively, it trims well into a compact hedge or can be clipped to form a larger bushy screen, offering flexibility in garden design. Ideal for coastal gardens, it withstands salt-laden winds and thrives in exposed conditions. Growing to approximately 4 x 2.5 metres, it provides structure, colour, and resilience year-round.
- Pseudopanax ‘Sabre’ is a striking evergreen tree native to New Zealand. It grows at a reasonably fast pace and showcases long, leathery, lance-shaped leaves in deep green, with a yellow orange mid rib —hence the name ‘Sabre’. Although similar to P. crassifolium, this variety grows faster and features wider, thicker foliage. As a result, it offers a bolder presence in the garden while remaining easy to manage. It thrives in most soil types and adapts well to both full sun and semi-shade. Moreover, its resilience makes it an excellent choice for coastal gardens and exposed sites. Over time, ‘Sabre’ matures into a more open habit. However, you can easily trim it to maintain shape and height, making it ideal for smaller gardens. It typically reaches around 4 x 3 metres at maturity.
- Quercus canariensis – Algerian or Mirbeck Oak is a large, deciduous tree native to the Western Mediterranean. With a stout trunk and broad crown, it produces striking dark green leaves that create a lush canopy. In warmer climates, it may remain semi-evergreen, offering year-round appeal. This oak thrives in exposed sites, tolerating heat and drier conditions with ease. Moreover, it adapts well to most soils and shows greater tolerance of clay than many other oak species, though it dislikes waterlogged ground. Additionally, Quercus canariensis withstands coastal environments, making it versatile for varied landscapes. It grows approximately 10 x 6m in ten years, and at maturity, it can reach 25 x 25m. With its impressive size and spreading habit, it serves as an excellent shade tree for large gardens or open spaces.
- Quercus cerris – Turkey Oak is a handsome, wide-spreading deciduous tree native to south-eastern Europe and Western Asia. Its rich green, oblong lobed leaves create a striking display before turning golden yellow in autumn, adding seasonal interest to any landscape. This oak thrives in diverse soil types, including sandy, loamy, and heavy clay, though it resents waterlogged conditions. Thanks to its robust root system, it becomes dry tolerant once established. Moreover, it prefers full sun and withstands exposed sites. Growing to approximately 10 x 6m in ten years, Turkey Oak matures to around 25 x 14m. With its impressive size and broad crown, it provides excellent shade, making it a valuable choice for large gardens, parks, or open spaces.
- Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Green Lustre’ is a hardy, evergreen tree native to New Zealand. Closely related to the standard Karo, it differs in that it features glossy green leaves on top with a soft, felted underside. This compact tree adds texture and depth to any garden. In spring, it blooms with sweetly scented purple flowers. These are especially fragrant during still mornings or calm evenings, adding charm to outdoor spaces. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates dry conditions and handles windy sites and coastal exposure. Whether trimmed into a neat hedge or left to grow naturally, it forms a dense screen. Typically, it reaches around 6 metres tall and 4 metres wide.
- Podocarpus totara ‘Ardmore Green’ is a strong, sturdy evergreen native to New Zealand. From an early age, it displays dense, dark green foliage, closely resembling the mature Totara tree. It thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Thanks to its tolerance for wind and coastal conditions, it suits a wide range of garden environments. With slow, steady growth, ‘Ardmore Green’ is easy to manage in gardens of any size. Its compact nature makes it ideal for structured planting. Use it as a stand-alone specimen, for avenues, or as a large screen or shelter. When trimmed, it forms a robust hedge with a Yew-like appearance. In ideal conditions, it can reach approximately 7 x 5 metres at maturity.
- Parrotia persica – Persian Ironwood is a compact, deciduous tree known for its exceptional autumn colour. Originating from Iran, it’s considered one of the finest small trees for seasonal interest. The botanical term persica refers to its Persian roots, highlighting its natural heritage. This slow-growing, broad-spreading tree often develops multiple stems and features attractive, flaking bark. Its dark green leaves shift dramatically in autumn, turning vivid shades of yellow, orange, rosy pink, and scarlet. In late winter to early spring, clusters of unusual red flowers appear on bare twigs, adding early-season charm. Persian Ironwood tolerates clay soils, though it’s best to avoid overly wet conditions. With a mature size of approximately 8 meters tall and 6 meters wide, it makes an excellent specimen tree.
- Pinus pinea – Italian Stone Pine is an evergreen tree celebrated for its edible pine nuts. This striking ornamental species displays long, slender needles typical of pines, adding texture and elegance to any landscape. With its distinctive growth habit, the Italian Stone Pine forms a stout, bushy globe. Over time, it develops a thick trunk and numerous branches that create its signature dense, rounded, and flattened crown. Well-suited to sandy soils, this tree tolerates both wind and coastal conditions. Pine nuts ripen in autumn, offering a seasonal culinary delight. Also suitable as a shade tree. Mature trees typically reach around 8 x 5 metres. However, they can be trimmed to maintain shape and height, making them versatile for gardens, avenues, or larger landscapes.
- Pinus thunbergii – Japanese Black Pine is an attractive evergreen species that develops into a broad, conical tree. Its stout, twisted branches spread with maturity, creating a striking silhouette. Winter buds are sharply pointed and silky, shifting from silvery white to deep green as the seasons progress. This pine thrives in well-drained soils including sandy and prefers full sun with moderate temperatures. Moreover, it is highly tolerant of salt and drought, making it an excellent choice for coastal planting and exposed conditions. Growing to approximately 10 x 4 metres, Japanese Black Pine is especially popular in Japanese-style gardens. Its resilience and distinctive form make it a valued specimen for both traditional and modern landscapes.
- Metrosideros excelsa ‘Long Bay’ – Pohutukawa is a striking evergreen New Zealand native tree. Originating from Long Bay on Auckland’s North Shore, it features fresh lime-green foliage on new growth, adding vibrant colour throughout the year. In late spring, ‘Long Bay’ bursts into brilliant red flowers that cover the tree in a spectacular display. These blooms are not only eye-catching but also provide an important food source for native birds, enhancing biodiversity. Moreover, Metrosideros excelsa flourish in coastal environments and show remarkable resilience. They endure poor soil conditions, excess moisture, and drought, while also withstanding harsh elements such as salt-laden winds and arid landscapes. Additionally, this variety tolerates clay and wet soils, though it thrives best in moist, well-drained earth. Growing to approximately 7 x 5 metres, it makes a beautiful coastal shade tree and a standout feature in any landscape.
- Metrosideros excelsa x umbellata ‘Maungapiko’ – Pohutukawa is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand. As a cross between Southern Rata and Pohutukawa, it develops a narrow, upright form with an open habit. Its slender, glossy dark‑green leaves create a striking contrast in any landscape. Bright crimson flowers appear in December and January, slightly later than most Pohutukawa varieties. This cultivar also tolerates frost better than others. Additionally, Maungapiko thrives in coastal conditions and withstand poor soils, drought, and salt‑laden winds. Although they cope with clay soils, these trees perform best in moist, well‑drained ground and full sun. Growing up to 8 metres tall and 3 metres wide, ‘Maungapiko’ makes a stunning feature for urban gardens, coastal settings, or cooler regions. Can also be used as a shelter belt.
- Metrosideros collina ‘Springfire’ (Pacific Island Pohutukawa) is a vigorous fast growing tree from the Pacific Islands, admired for its striking grey‑green foliage. As one of the earliest Pohutukawa to bloom, it bursts into vibrant orange‑red flowers that signal the arrival of Spring. This hardy tree tolerates clay soils and, once established, withstands dry conditions. Furthermore, it thrives in coastal and windy sites, making it a versatile choice for challenging environments. Its compact size suits smaller gardens, while regular trimming allows easy shaping into a colourful hedge. However, protect young plants from frost to ensure healthy growth and long‑term success. Growing to approximately 4m tall by 3m wide, ‘Springfire’ offers manageable proportions and year‑round appeal, combining resilience with striking seasonal beauty.
- Olea europaea ‘J5’ is a medium-sized, evergreen olive tree with a graceful, weeping form. Ideal for warmer climates, it adds Mediterranean charm to any garden. In spring, it bursts into masses of tiny cream-white flowers, which later develop into a generous crop of medium-sized oval fruit by autumn. This New Zealand selection thrives in full sun and tolerates wind and coastal conditions. Once established, it can endure extended dry periods, making it a resilient choice for low-maintenance landscapes. Growing to approximately 6 x 3 metres, the J5 olive tree is not only a prolific fruiter but also provides light, dappled shade—perfect for relaxing outdoor spaces.
- Olea europaea ‘Kalamata’ is the famous Greek table olive tree, known for its strong vigour and upright growth habit. This striking olive tree features larger olive-green leaves compared to other varieties, adding lush texture to the landscape. During summer, clusters of small creamy white flowers appear, followed by very large, almond-shaped fruit. These dark purple olives have a smooth texture and are typically harvested in April. Notably, the name Kalamata originates from the region in southern Greece where this variety was first cultivated. As with most olive trees, the species name europaea simply means “European,” highlighting its Mediterranean heritage. In addition to its culinary fame, this tree also produces olive oil. Once established, it tolerates dry conditions well and thrives in warmer, sunny climates. With a mature size of approximately 7 x 3 metres, it makes a wonderful lightly dappled shade tree, perfect for gardens, courtyards, or orchard-style plantings. Whether you're seeking ornamental beauty or a productive fruiting tree, ‘Kalamata’ offers both elegance and utility.
- Commercial oil Olive. Smaller leaves with dense habit. Small fruit produced in abundance with high oil content. Fruits from an early age. Will tolerate warmer climates. Being from the Mediterranean olive trees require full sun and will tolerate wind coastal and can also survive extended dry periods once established.
