Fagus cliffortioides 
Native of New Zealand, 
Nat. Order: CupuLiFEera. Tribe: QuUERCINEA. 
Fagus Cliffortioides, Hooker fil., “ Icones Plant” 673, Kirk 
“Forest, Fl. N. Zeal.” 201, t. 101 (1889). 
Very few of our deciduous trees have the graceful habit of 
this beautiful beech. It is said to be one of the hardiest trees 
in New Zealand, where it is found growing at an altitude of 
4000 feet, as a bush from five to eight feet high; but in more 
favourable situations it grows to over fifty feet in height. I 
have not the least doubt that it will prove hardy everywhere 
in this country, and it ought to be highly prized as a most 
graceful and ornamental tree. I imported it in a Wardian 
case from New Zealand some years ago, and it has grown 
rapidly here, making an annual growth of over a foot. It has 
small leaves, not more than half an inch long, and it may be 
said to be evergreen, as the old leaves remain on the branches 
till the new ones appear ; just before the old leaves fall, they 
change to a brilliant red, and the contrast with the light green 
of the young growth is very curious and pretty. 
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