Golden tree fern Dicksonia fibrosa
ABOUT
D. fibrosa is an evergreen tree fern to 6m tall, with a stout rhizome and dark green, 2 to 3-pinnate fronds to 2m long, their stalks brown scaly towards the base
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Golden Tree Fern, Wheki-Ponga, Kuripaka.
Common names
Balantium fibrosum, Dicksonia lanata, Dicksonia squarrosa var. fibrosa.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
10 feet (3 meters)
Spread
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
New Zealand
Benefits
General Benefits- Ecological Importance: Serving as a habitat for various species, Dicksonia fibrosa (commonly known as the Wheki-ponga or Rough tree fern) offers shelter and food for understory wildlife.
- Ornamental Use: Its striking appearance with long fibrous fronds makes it an aesthetically pleasing choice for gardens, parks, and landscaping projects.
- Erosion Control: The thick mat of roots helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion in sloped and sensitive areas.
- Carbon Sequestration: Like other plants, the Rough tree fern absorbs carbon dioxide, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
- Soil Improvement: By decomposing, the plant's fallen fronds enrich the soil with organic matter, enhancing soil quality over time.
- Cultural Significance: The Rough tree fern holds cultural and historical importance to indigenous peoples, being used in crafting and traditional ceremonies.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dicksonia fibrosa, commonly known as the Wheki-ponga or Soft Tree Fern, can be used in landscaping for creating dramatic backdrops due to its large fronds and thick, fibrous trunk.
- The trunk's fibrous material of the Soft Tree Fern has been historically used for crafting traditional Maori eel traps and baskets, showcasing its cultural significance and utility.
- The thickness and texture of the Soft Tree Fern's trunk make it a natural insulator, potentially being used in eco-conscious construction for thermal regulation.
- Garden hobbyists use sections of the Soft Tree Fern’s trunk to grow orchids and other epiphytes, providing a naturalistic mount that mimics their growing conditions in the wild.
- The Soft Tree Fern can be implemented in educational programs and botanical gardens to demonstrate the growth habits and ecosystem role of tree ferns native to New Zealand.
- Due to its robust structure, the Soft Tree Fern can be used in zoos and wildlife parks to create shelters and climbing structures for small animals and birds.
- Artists and sculptors may use the dead trunks of the Wheki-ponga as a medium for carving, given its unique texture and form.
- The spores of the Soft Tree Fern offer an opportunity for study in spore propagation techniques, aiding conservation efforts and botanical research.
- When dried, the hairy scales from the young fronds of the Wheki-ponga are sometimes used in traditional Maori handicrafts for decoration or ceremonial purposes.
- The Soft Tree Fern, due to its primitive lineage, is involved in evolutionary studies that explore plant diversification and the survival of ancient plant groups.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Dicksonia fibrosa, commonly known as the golden tree fern, is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe golden tree fern is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Dicksonia fibrosa, also known as the Golden Tree Fern, exemplifies resilience as it can often be found on rough terrain and striving in challenging conditions, demonstrating the ability to persist and adapt.
- Longevity: Golden Tree Ferns can have a very long lifespan, which makes them a symbol of endurance and the passage of time.
- Growth: As a fern, it starts out as a small spore and grows into a large plant, symbolizing personal growth and development over time.
- Ancient Wanderer: Since this fern species dates back to ancient times, it is often seen as a symbol of the connection to the past and the wisdom of ancient times.
- Shelter: Its large fronds provide shelter to many species of flora and fauna, thus symbolizing nurturing and protection.
WaterThe Golden Tree Fern should be watered regularly to maintain evenly moist soil, especially during its growing season in spring and summer. Depending on the humidity and temperature, this may mean watering it with approximately 1-2 gallons per week. In winter, reduce watering to every other week, ensuring the soil doesn't dry out completely. Use lukewarm water and water directly onto the soil, avoiding the crown to prevent rot. For mature plants, also periodically water the trunk, as it can absorb moisture.
LightThe Golden Tree Fern thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate part shade. Place it in a spot that receives dappled sunlight, such as under a canopy of trees or by a window with a sheer curtain to diffuse the direct rays of the sun. Avoid exposing the fern to prolonged direct sunlight, as this can scorch its fronds.
TemperatureThe ideal temperature for the Golden Tree Fern ranges from 60°F to 75°F. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to 50°F and a maximum of around 80°F. Sudden temperature changes and drafts should be avoided to prevent stressing the plant.
PruningPruning the Golden Tree Fern is generally done to remove dead or damaged fronds which can be cut back to the base. Pruning is best performed in the spring to give the plant a cleaner appearance and to encourage new growth. It does not require frequent pruning; once a year should suffice.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for wheki or Dicksonia fibrosa is one that provides good drainage and is rich in organic matter. Combinations like coarse sand or perlite mixed with peat and compost work well. The soil pH should be slightly acidic, around pH 5.0 to 5.5.
RepottingWheki or Dicksonia fibrosa should be repotted every few years or when it outgrows its pot. It's best to repot in spring just before the growing season starts.
Humidity & MistingWheki or Dicksonia fibrosa thrives in high humidity, ideally around 75 to 85%. Maintaining high humidity is important as it simulates the plant's natural rainforest habitat.
Suitable locationsIndoor
For indoor wheki, place in well-draining soil; mist regularly.
Outdoor
Plant wheki in shady spot with moist, acidic soil; protect from wind.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleAs a species of tree fern, Dicksonia fibrosa, commonly known as golden tree fern or wheki-ponga, begins its life cycle with spore production. Mature fronds develop sori on their undersides, which release countless microscopic spores into the environment. When the spores settle in a suitable moist and shaded habitat, they germinate to form a small, heart-shaped gametophyte (prothallus). The gametophyte hosts both male and female reproductive organs; fertilization occurs when water allows sperm to swim to an egg, resulting in a zygote. This zygote then develops into a new sporophyte, the familiar tree fern with a slowly developing, fibrous trunk and a crown of arching fronds. The sporophyte continues to grow, reaching maturity and starting the cycle anew by producing spores of its own.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-early summer
Dicksonia fibrosa, commonly known as the Golden Tree Fern, is typically propagated by spores, which is the most popular method for many tree ferns. Propagation from spores is ideally initiated during warm periods with high humidity, which often corresponds to late spring through summer. To propagate Golden Tree Ferns by spores, one must first collect the spores from the underside of fertile fronds and sow them on a substrate of sterilized peat and perlite kept moist within a warm, shaded environment. A plastic cover or propagation case can be used to maintain the high humidity required for spore germination. It is crucial to avoid direct sunlight and to keep the substrate consistently moist without being waterlogged. Germination can take several weeks to months, and the resultant gametophytes will eventually give rise to new fern sporophytes that can be potted on as they grow and mature.
