---
title: King Billy Pine
date: 2024-04-05T16:01:00+11:00
author: Private Forests Tasmania
canonical_url: "https://pft.tas.gov.au/tree-species/king-billy-pine"
section: Tree Species
---
1. [Private Forests Tasmania](/)
2. King Billy Pine
 

#  King Billy Pine 

 

 

 

 

 

 ![Kill billy pine](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Tree-Species/_800x800_crop_center-center_none/125941/kill-billy-pine.webp) 

## Scientific Name

Athrotaxis selaginoides

## Family Name

CUPRESSACEAE

## Common Name

King Billy Pine

 

 

### General Information

 

  Height 40.0m (4000cm)   Flowers Inconspicuous   Fruit Cones   Form Tree, often stunted and twisted in high exposed places.   Municipalities Central Coast; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; Kentish; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast   Communities Montane Vegetation; Rainforest   Habitat Notes Tas. endemic. Found on valley slopes in high rainfall areas between 800 and 1400m often in association with Nothofagus cunninghamii. A shrub when extending into the alpine zones.   Site Tolerance Exposed; Moist; Shady; Windy   Frost Tolerance Hardy   Soil Tolerance Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained   General Notes Timber is valuable for joinery, cabinet work and boat-building. Has been grown for many years in the British Isles. It requires very well drained, moist soils with partial or full sun. May be very slow growing. Suitable for public and large domestic gardens, forests and roadsides. Not suitable below powerlines.   

 

### Propagation Details

 Flowering Months JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSeed Collecting Months JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSowing Months JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecCutting Months JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 

 

 

### Seed Information

 

  Seed Collection Seed cones spherical, about 1.5cm in diameter at the ends of branchlets, on female plants. dry and sieve   Seed Treatment Method Cold   Seed Storage Life Short   Seed Treatment Notes May benefit from 6-8 weeks cold-moist stratification prior to germination. Seedling very prone to "damping off" unless stringent precautions are taken. Viability varies from year to year. Fresh seed is recommended.   Germination Time 1-2 months   

 

### Cuttings

 

  Propagation By Division No   Cutting Notes Cuttings strike fairly readily. Use tip cuttings with or without "heels" and strike in a 2:1 mix of peat moss and sand. Late summer is best time to collect. Should strike more successfully if stored in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss in the refrigerator at or about 3-4oC for 6-8 weeks prior to setting out. Bottom heat and mist is beneficial or a plastic bag over the pot. Plants grow slowly and require adequate moisture. Also grows from layers.