Introduction

This upright, dense evergreen has pointed, leathery, dark green leaves arranged on stiff, symmetrical branches and works very well as a screen, hedge, strong accent plant, or framing tree. The crown forms a somewhat pyramidal to oval outline. Able to reach 90 feet in height, Nagi Podocarpus is usually seen at 30 to 40 feet in height due to the moderately-slow growth rate. Compact branching habit and very dark green foliage make this a dense tree in full sun, more open but surprisingly dense in shade.

General Information

Scientific name: Podocarpus nagi

Pronunciation: poe-doe-KAR-pus NAY-jye

Common name(s): Nagi Podocarpus, Broadleaf Podocarpus

Family: Podocarpaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 9A through 11 (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential :has been evaluated using the IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas (UF/IFAS 2018). This species is not documented in any undisturbed natural areas in Florida. Thus, it is not considered a problem species and may be used in Florida.

Uses: indoors; screen; specimen; street without sidewalk; shade; hedge; parking lot island < 100 sq ft; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; urban tolerant; highway median

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Description

Height: 30 to 50 feet

Spread: 15 to 25 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: upright/erect, oval, pyramidal

Crown density: dense

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: elliptic (oval), ovate

Leaf venation: parallel

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches, 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: yellow

Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round

Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch

Fruit covering: fleshy

Fruit color: purple

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green

Current year twig thickness: medium

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade, shade tolerant

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; alkaline; well-drained

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: no

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Growing well in full sun, partial or deep shade, Nagi Podocarpus tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils. In Florida, established trees grow well with no irrigation. Plants will show nutrient deficiencies on alkaline soils. The typical symptom is a wide yellow band or stripe across the leaves, usually attributed to magnesium deficiency. This is a tough tree, adaptable to urban conditions. It should be used more in areas with poor soils and restricted rooting space. With some pruning to create a more open canopy with well spaced ascending branches along the trunk, Nagi Podocarpus could make a good street tree. Eliminate branches with narrow angles of attachment in favor of those with a wider angle.

Propagation is by seeds or cuttings.

Pests

Scale and sooty mold can be found on Nagi podocarpus but this is usually not serious.

Diseases

It is susceptible to root rot on soils with poor drainage.

Literature Cited

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 2018. "Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas" (https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu, 4/29/2019) Gainesville, FL, 32611-4000, USA.