Having lived in New Zealand for four years and having visited family there numerous times, I can tell you about the prevalence and importance of the manuka tree to New Zealand society and to the economy.
While manuka honey may be mostly known to people outside New Zealand, the tree itself serves other purposes as we’ll see below.
Here are 7 questions about the manuka tree you’ll be happy to know the answers to.
Where is the manuka tree grown?
The manuka tree is native to New Zealand and grows throughout the country, particularly in the North Island, in the South Island but predominantly in the northern part, on Stewart Island as well as the Chatham Islands. Manuka trees are also grown in southeast Australia.
A large percentage of the manuka (and kanuka) trees that grow in New Zealand grow on land owned by Maori who are the native people of New Zealand so it’s a very important tree to them for both cultural and economic reasons.
Manuka trees have also been been cultivated in other countries including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and in Madeira, Portugal.
The manuka is considered a shrub or small tree, is broadleaved, is seed propagated and is a perennial that can grow for many decades.
How large does the manuka tree grow?
The manuka tree typically grows 7′ – 16′ (2m – 5m) tall but can also grow larger, as high as 49′ (15m) in some cases. It’s an evergreen with thick branches, short leaves and an ability to grow well in wet or dry soil conditions. The manuka typically lives up to 60 years before being replaced by larger and longer living ones.
The manuka easily disperses its seeds which helps to explain why it’s so prevalent throughout New Zealand. It’s also known as a pioneering tree since it enables other smaller trees and vegetation to grown underneath its larger canopy.
Having said that, it doesn’t grow nearly as large as another famous tree found in New Zealand, the pohutukawa.
Is manuka a hardwood?
Manuka is an evergreen, high density hardwood which makes it suitable for a wide variety of commercial uses including as firewood or in wood ovens and for smoking foods. Manuka regenerates in large numbers and is often regarded by farmers as a weed and treated as such.
The wood itself is hard and heavy and is between an orange-brown to red-brown in color. The grain is very fine. The bark is pale gray-brown and tends to be loose and often peeling. Flowers can appear that are either white or dark red in color.
As far as trees go, manukas often look rather straggly and not as impressive as larger, more dignified trees often do.
Traditionally, manuka wood was used for little more than burning in fires. It tends not to grow large enough to be used for any wood crafts other than handles for tools and other small items. Its durability is considered to be modest at best.
Manuka is often confused with the kanuka which is another native tree to New Zealand although one that is not as well known.
You may also hear manuka referred to as kahikatoa, red tea tree or broom tea tree.
Why is manuka honey so expensive?
While many types of honey have antibacterial properties due to the presence of hydrogen peroxide, manuka honey has a high non-peroxide antibacterial factor referred to as Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) which you will see referred to as a number from 5+ to 25+ only on manuka honey packaged in New Zealand. Since authentic New Zealand manuka honey only comes from one country, it must provide the entire global supply which helps to explain the high price.
The UMF ratings are verified by independent laboratory testing which not only confirms that it is certified to be New Zealand manuka honey but that the honey additionally has certain levels of the two key bioactives that give the honey its medicinal qualities: Methylglyoxal (MGO) and Leptosperin.
You may also read about the Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) component of manuka honey which is the precursor to MKO.
Here are the potential UMF ratings for New Zealand manuka honey products along with the corresponding Methylglyoxal (MGO) levels which describes the antibacterial properties present and Leptosperin levels which describes the anti-inflammatory properties present.
| UMF Rating | Level of Authenticity | Methylglyoxal (MGO) Level | Leptosperin Level |
| 5+ | Certified Authentic | 83 mg/kg | >=100 mg/kg |
| 10+ | Premium Grade | 263 mg/kg | >=150 mg/kg |
| 15+ | Ultra Premium Grade | 514 mg/kg | >=200 mg/kg |
| 20+ | Ultra Premium Grade | 829 mg/kg | >=200 mg/kg |
| 25+ | Superior Rare High Grade | 1,200 mg/kg | >=200 mg/kg |
Manuka honey must have Leptosperin to be considered authentic. Only manuka honey manufacturers who meet the rigorous standards of the UMF Honey Association are awarded the right to label their manuka honey with the UMF seal.
How important is manuka honey to New Zealand’s economy?
Manuka honey is a very important export for New Zealand and by 2028, the industry hopes to hit $1.2 billion NZD in export sales
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As an island nation surrounded completely by water, New Zealand is relatively free of many pests and other harmful diseases that can hurt many important industries such as fruit growing and honey production. As such, New Zealand honey is considered very pure.
New Zealand is a nation actually comprised of three islands:
- North Island which is the most heavily populated.
- South Island which is less populated and more rural.
- Stewart Island which is small and almost uninhabited.
Manuka trees can be found on all three islands but are predominantly in the North Island.
What threats exist to the supply of manuka trees?
For manuka trees themselves, Myrtle Rust disease is a major cause for concern for trees in the myrtle family. It’s a fungal disease that is spread through small microscopic spores that it is believed can travel very far. It is suspected that the disease arrived airborne in Australia from South America and then ended up in New Zealand as well.
Regarding manuka honey production, one problem faced by beekeepers and bees themselves are when hives are placed too close together causing bees to fight for the same resources and consume their own honey to survive.
Research has shown that this alone can lead to up to a 10% loss in bee hives in manuka trees each year.
Another threat to manukas is that it is often considered to be a weed particularly by farmers due to its insidious nature and ability to take over a field.
What else can the manuka tree be used for?
Other than its production of honey, the manuka tree can be used for a wide variety of applications including:
- Firewood – Manuka wood is sold in New Zealand and Australia as firewood due to its prevalence and also due to its hot and long burning abilities. Having said that, another use of manuka as we’ll see below relies on growing the tree to help restore over forested areas so burning them for firewood defeats the purpose. Due to its relatively small size, manuka isn’t good for furniture, flooring or most higher end wood product usage.
- Smoking food – Manuka wood chips are sold for food smoking purposes. Good with meats and fish among other foods, manuka smoke adds a strong flavor with a touch of sweetness.
- Sawdust – Rather than throwing it away, some people will also use manuka sawdust to burn including in a grill to enhance the flavor of meat, fish and other foods.
- Wood fencing – New Zealanders often use straight manuka timber poles stacked upright side by side to build fences. Having said that, it’s not the preferred wood for fencing and other options like eucalyptus are often preferred.
- Tool handles – Reclaimed and reused manuka has often been used to fashion tool blades for hammers, saws, etc but this tends to be a relic from the past perhaps for sentimental reasons these days.
- Ecological restoration – Manuka wood tends not to be eaten by animals so can be grown to replace lost vegetation and to add to the overall landscape and reclamation of an area as a result. It’s ideal as a soil stabilizer due to how quickly it germinates and grows.
- Oil – Manuka oil gives off a very pleasant scent and is thus often used in aromatherapy. It is increasingly used as an essential oil, too.
- Jewelry – Jewelry items and other souvenir-type products such as necklaces and pendants are often fashioned from manuka wood.
Manuka Wood And Trees – Characteristics And Traits
Here’s a table summarizing the characteristics and uses of Manuka trees and wood:
| Characteristic | Manuka Trees and Wood |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Leptospermum scoparium |
| Wood Color | Pale to light brown |
| Aromatic Qualities | Strong, sweet, earthy, and smoky |
| Commercial Uses | Timber, essential oil extraction, honey production |
| Timber Uses | Craftsmanship, furniture, decorative items |
| Essential Oil | Used in aromatherapy, skincare products, and medicinal applications |
| Food Smoking | Highly prized for imparting a unique smoky flavor to various foods |
| Notable Foods | Meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, and cheese |
| Honey Production | Manuka honey is renowned for its antibacterial properties and health benefits |
| Cultural Significance | Iconic plant in New Zealand, deeply rooted in Maori traditions |
Manuka wood is celebrated for its versatility, from timber uses to essential oil extraction and smoking food. In addition, Manuka trees play a significant role in honey production, notably yielding the famous Manuka honey, prized for its exceptional properties.
NOTE: Have you heard of the Kanuka tree? It has a similar name but it’s a different species that is also largely grown in New Zealand. Check out my article called Is Kanuka Wood Good For Smoking Foods? to learn more.
