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wind tolerant native trees

Looking for wind tolerant native trees to protect your property or enhance your coastal garden? New Zealand’s native flora offers a remarkable selection of hardy trees that thrive even in exposed, windy conditions. These resilient species not only offer shelter from strong winds but also provide year-round beauty, attract native wildlife, and require little maintenance once established. Whether you want to create a windbreak, stabilise your land, or simply add structure to your planting scheme, there’s a wind tolerant native tree perfect for your needs.

Knightia excelsa (Rewarewa) specimen tree in a park.

Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa, commonly known as Rewarewa, is an impressive NZ native tree featuring showy flowers and lush foliage. Unusual yet attractive, dark red flowers bloom across the tree in summer and are great for attracting birds. The flowers are complemented by long, narrow leaves that are mid-green and held densely on upright branches. This tree grows with a somewhat narrow habit, reaching approximately 30 m in height and 8 m in width. Knightia excelsa is commonly included in native revegetation projects, grown as a specimen in extensive gardens or parks, or planted to attract birds.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 30.00 m
Spread: 8.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Shade, Wind
Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Coastal, Native
A Metrosideros robusta (Northern Rata) tree in full flower in a native reserve.

Metrosideros robusta

5 from 1 customers

Metrosideros robusta, commonly known as Northern Rata, is a majestic New Zealand native tree renowned for its brilliant red flowers and large, spreading canopy. Typically found in coastal and lowland forests, it can grow up to 25 metres tall with a broad, rounded form. Northern Rata is ideal as a statement tree in large gardens or revegetation projects. It attracts native birds, tolerates wind and coastal conditions, and provides striking seasonal colour in summer.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 20.00 m
Spread: 6.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Shade, Wind
Garden uses: Screening
Garden styles: Coastal, Native
Griselinia littoralis plant with lush, green foliage.

Griselinia littoralis

Griselinia littoralis, commonly known as Kapuka, is a popular New Zealand native shrub valued for its lush, glossy green foliage and dense, upright...

From$22.88
A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.

Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$358.98
A Sophora godleyi specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.

Sophora godleyi (Godleys Kowhai)

Sophora godleyi is a magnificent New Zealand native tree valued for its graceful weeping branches and bright yellow flowers that appear in spring...

From$358.98
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) shrubs in a native reserve.

Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)

Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as Manuka or New Zealand Tea Tree, is a hardy native shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and masses of white...

From$13.43
A fantastic Titoki tree (Alectryon excelsus) growing as a speciment tree in an urban park.

Alectryon excelsus

Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as the Titoki tree, is a handsome New Zealand native tree valued for its lush, glossy foliage and tidy, rounded...

From$70.13
Pittosporum eugenioides tree with lush, dark green foliage and cream-coloured flowers.

Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a fast-growing native New Zealand tree valued for its glossy green leaves and...

From$14.72
Plagianthus regia betulinus green foliage.

Plagianthus regia betulinus

Plagianthus regius subsp. regius, commonly known as Houi or lowland ribbonwood, is a fast-growing, deciduous New Zealand native tree. It features...

From$141.61
A tui feeding on the berries and flowers in a Pseudopanax arboreus (Whauwhaupaku) tree.

Pseudopanax arboreus (Five-Finger)

Pseudopanax arboreus, commonly known as Five Finger or Whauwhaupaku, is a fast-growing NZ native tree that typically reaches 4–6 m tall. It features...

From$18.83
A Kunzea robusta shrub with masses of pretty, white flowers.

Kunzea robusta

Kunzea robusta, commonly known as Kanuka or the White Tea Tree, is a fast-growing, NZ native tree. It features small, dark green leaves that release...

From$14.78
Cordyline australis trees growing as a cluster.

Cordyline australis

Cordyline australis, also known as the Cabbage Tree or tī kōuka, is a hardy and iconic New Zealand native. It features long, sword-like green leaves...

From$24.23
A large Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' trees in an avenue with masses of red flowers.

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess'

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' is a stunning cultivar of the NZ Christmas tree (Pohutukawa) and is renowned for its brilliant crimson-red flowers and...

From$28.28
A large Agathis australis (Kauri tree) in a native reserve.

Agathis australis (New Zealand Kauri)

Agathis australis, commonly known as the Kauri tree, is a revered New Zealand native conifer renowned for its immense size and longevity. Reaching...

From$97.13
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$26.93
Sophora fulvida tree with masses of yellow flowers.

Sophora fulvida

Sophora fulvida (Southern Kōwhai) is a beautiful New Zealand native tree admired for its golden yellow flowers and fine green foliage. Flowering in...

From$457.29
sequoiadendron-giganteum-

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)

Sequoiadendron giganteum, commonly known as the Giant Redwood, is a large, evergreen tree and aptly named for its red coloured wood. It features...

From$299.92
Metrosideros 'Maungapiko' specimen tree covered in red flowers.

Metrosideros 'Maungapiko'

Metrosideros ‘Maungapiko’ is a compact New Zealand native pohutukawa cultivar valued for its dense habit, glossy green foliage, and vivid red summer...

From$272.12
Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo) olive-green foliage and red flowers.

Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo)

Pittosporum crassifolium, commonly known as Karo, is a hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It features dense, grey-green...

From$14.72
Phyllocladus trichomanoides lush green foliage.

Phyllocladus trichomanoides (Celery Pine)

Phyllocladus trichomanoides, commonly called Celery Pine, is a striking New Zealand native tree valued for its unique, celery like foliage and tall...

From$457.29
acer-princeton-gold-

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$391.14
Metrosideros 'Spring Fire' trees  for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Metrosideros 'Spring Fire'

Metrosideros ‘Spring Fire’ is a compact and highly floriferous New Zealand native pohutukawa cultivar valued for its brilliant red spring flowers and...

From$29.63
fuscospora-cliffortioides-4

Fuscospora cliffortioides (Mountain Beech)

Commonly known as Mountain Beech, this is a large, evergreen tree native to NZ. The foliage comprises small, dark green leaves which are held densely...

From$358.98
sorbus-scarlet-king-

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$343.89
A large Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (Kahikatea) tree.

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (Kahikatea)

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, commonly known as Kahikatea or White Pine, is a slow-growing, NZ native tree capable of reaching 50 m tall. The foliage on...

From$205.02
Myoporum laetum (Ngaio) tree with lush foliage and white flowers growing in a coastal location.

Myoporum laetum (Ngaio)

Myoporum laetum, commonly known as Ngaio, is a NZ native tree grown for its lush foliage and showy flowers. It features large, fleshy, green leaves...

From$29.63
fuscospora-solandri-

Fuscospora solandri (Black Beech)

Commonly known as Black Beech, this is a large, evergreen tree native to NZ. The foliage comprises small, dark green leaves which are held densely in...

From$358.98
chiranthodendron-pentadactylon-2

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (Monkeys Hand Tree)

Commonly known as the Monkeys Hand Tree, this is an evergreen tree grown for its flowers and stature. Amidst the lush, green foliage are borne showy...

From$146.79
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$432.79
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.

Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$97.13
cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo is a highly colourful, deciduous tree featuring bright, salmon-pink foliage in spring which ages to cream-yellow, and then...

From$28.28
magnolia-amethyst-flame-2

Magnolia Amethyst Flame (Amethyst Flame Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Amethyst Flame is a smaller tree that bears masses of large and showy, bright red-purple flowers in late winter and early spring on the...

From$299.92
Knightia excelsa

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Agathis, Alectryon, Cedrela, Chiranthodendron, Cordyline, Dacrycarpus, Dacrydium, Fuscospora, Griselinia, Knightia, Kunzea, Leptospermum, Liriodendron, Magnolia, Metrosideros, Myoporum, Phyllocladus, Pittosporum, Plagianthus, Pseudopanax, Sequoiadendron Sophora and Sorbus, or related Categories - Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Deciduous Trees, Evergreen Trees Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

Search wind tolerant native trees

Why Choose Wind Tolerant Native Trees?

Windy sites can be especially challenging for gardeners and landscapers, causing stress to poorly adapted plants and increasing soil erosion. Native trees evolved in Aotearoa’s diverse landscapes, making them uniquely suited to local conditions, including areas battered by coastal breezes and hilltop gales. By choosing wind tolerant native trees, you not only ensure higher survival rates but also support local birds and pollinators, reduce maintenance, and honour the country’s natural heritage.

Top Wind Tolerant Native Trees for New Zealand Gardens

Some of the most popular wind tolerant native trees include:

Planting a selection of wind tolerant native trees provides layered protection and creates habitat for native fauna, bringing your garden to life even in the wildest weather.

Companion Shrubs for Wind Protection

For extra shelter, combine these trees with wind tolerant native shrubs like Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka). Manuka forms dense thickets and adds valuable nectar sources for bees and birds, making it a popular choice for diverse, resilient planting schemes.

Tips for Establishing Wind Tolerant Natives

To give your wind tolerant native trees the best start: - Space trees appropriately to allow wind to filter through rather than battering them directly. - Use biodegradable windbreak cloth during establishment, removing it as trees mature. - Mulch well to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, especially in sandy, windblown soils. - Choose a mix of species for a healthy shelterbelt or native garden.

Start Creating Shelter with Hardy Native Trees

Ready to transform your property with wind tolerant native trees? Browse our range of proven performers such as Knightia excelsa, Metrosideros robusta, Griselinia littoralis, Sophora chathamica, and Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka). These hardy natives will provide beauty, shelter, and lasting resilience for your landscape.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Everyone knows classic varieties like Sambucus nigra and Gardenia radicans, but you might just fall in love with Blackberry 'Ben Nevis', Rhododendron Rubicon, and Grape 'Sauvignon Blanc'.
–The Plant Company

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