Dicksonia squarrosa Wheki, Brown Tree Fern is a hardy New Zealand native tree fern and grows a tall, slender, brown trunk up to approx 6m high. The fronds, reaching 1.5 – 3m in length (much smaller than Cyathea varieties), are quite crisp to touch and form a small “umbrella” on top of the trunk. It is the most popular New Zealand tree fern and is easy to grow and maintain. This variety will tolerate up to minus 5 degrees centigrade. It is best suited to a site with partial shade and minimal wind. Trunks are often used for fencing or edging and fronds will sometimes sprout from the side if top is dead. Dicksonia squarrosa has been succesfully re-grown in the EU and the USA after exporting from New Zealand. New Zealand native fern.