PODOCARPUS

Podocarpus is a versatile plant, renowned for its densely foliated lower limbs that reach the ground and its neat, dark green evergreen leaves. It is commonly used as a dense screen or hedge. When left untrimmed, Podocarpus can grow to an impressive height of 30 to 40 feet and becomes quite striking as a tree with its lower branches removed, showcasing light brown peeling bark. If space permits, retaining the lower limbs gives it a full-to-the-ground appearance. The tree’s open growth pattern features large spaces between branches, forming an appealing irregular oval silhouette when mature.

The tree produces inconspicuous flowers followed by small edible purple fruits on female trees that attract birds without creating mess on sidewalks. Podocarpus is one of the few trees suitable for pruning into an elegant hedge; its dark green foliage and dense growth create a formal mass that looks best when pruned with hand pruners rather than hedge trimmers. It thrives in full sun but grows more slowly and appears looser in shade conditions. Remarkably adaptable, it can even grow on the north side of tall buildings with minimal direct sunlight and tolerates various well-drained acidic soils.

This resilient tree adapts well to urban environments and should be more widely utilized as a street tree, particularly in areas with poor yet well-drained soils and limited rooting space. Unfortunately, many people trim it into columns or hedges without witnessing its true beauty as an attractive specimen or street tree—even fitting within small soil spaces like downtown planting pits—where roots typically do not pose significant issues for sidewalks in restricted-soil areas.