---
title: Myrtle Beech
date: 2024-02-14T10:22:00+11:00
author: Private Forests Tasmania
canonical_url: "https://pft.tas.gov.au/tree-species/myrtle-beech"
section: Tree Species
---
1. [Private Forests Tasmania](/)
2. Myrtle Beech
 

#  Myrtle Beech 

 

 

 

 

 

 ![Nothofagus Cunninghamii](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Tree-Species/_800x800_crop_center-center_none/105935/Nothofagus-Cunninghamii.webp) 

## Scientific Name

Nothofagus Cunninghamii

## Family Name

FAGACEAE

## Common Name

Myrtle Beech

 

 

### General Information

 

  Height 50.0m (5000cm)   Flowers On new growth, male: solitary stalked,hanging stamens, female: unstalked in threes in axils.   Fruit Nutlets   Form Tree or sometimes a dense shrub   Municipalities Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Flinders Island; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar   Communities Rainforest; Wet Eucalypt Forest   Habitat Notes Dominates rainforest throughout most of the state. It also occurs as an understorey tree in tall eucalypt forest and extends as a shrub into the subalpine and alpine zones. Slow growing in cultivation. Will stand full sun but prefers shade.   Site Tolerance Moist; Moist; Shady   Frost Tolerance Hardy   Soil Tolerance Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained   General Notes The timber, pinkish-brown in colour, takes a fine polish and is valued for cabinet work, joinery, floor-boards and the heels of shoes. Not suitable below powerlines.   

 

### Propagation Details

Flowering MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSeed Collecting MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSowing MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecCutting MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 

 

 

### Seed Information

 

  Seed Collection Seed borne in small nutlets,4mm in diameter, each with a central flat seed and two winged seeds (both germinable). seed falls over several months: later in the season has lower viability. heavy crops usually every 2-3 years   Seed Treatment Method Standard   Seed Storage Life possibly 4 years   Seed Treatment Notes Best sown fresh. Storage at 3-5o Cwill help extend viability. Viable seed sinks after soaking in water for 48 hrs. Highest viability (about 45%) occurs in heavy seed crop years and is higher for seed picked at the peak of collection period. Higher altitudes reduce viability.   Germination Time 6-8 weeks   

 

### Cuttings

 

  Propagation By Division No   Cutting Notes Usually give a low percentage of success.