7 Tagasaste/ e/ tree lucerne TIMING: winter (foliage, branches)

This tree is a native of the Canary Islands and is naturally frost tender, but strains have acclimatised to grow as far south as Central Otago. Source locally if you get severe frosts. Benefits include: • is evergreen so can be used as winter feed, sheep particularly enjoy it; • cut and allow to regrow; • is lush with a high nutritional value; • a favourite of wood pigeons; • flowers in early spring for bees.