Monkey apple

What does it look like?

Monkey apple is a tree (<6-15 m tall) with smooth bark and oval, leathery leaves (4-12 x 2-5 cm) which are in opposite pairs along the stems. The leaves are glossy on top and dotted underneath, and are very aromatic when crushed and often become scaly. Whitish flowers (Oct-Jan) are followed by bunches of pink-mauve or white berry-like fruit with large seeds.
It’s a long-lived species (100 yrs +) and produces a lot of seed that is well dispersed. Birds, particularly pigeons, help spread the seeds, and the seedlings are shade-tolerant, forming dense stands that outcompete other species. Monkey apple grows much faster than native plants, quickly filling any gaps in the bush canopy created by the death of older native trees. It prefers moderate to highly fertile, well-drained soils but is also tolerant of frost, salt, drought, and wind. Overall, it grows faster than native hardwood species.

Why is it a problem?

Monkey apple forms a dense carpet of seedlings beneath the canopy, which quickly grow to fill gaps caused by windfall, possum damage, or other disturbances, eventually establishing themselves as a permanent part of the canopy. It can create nearly pure stands and is likely to invade disturbed (and sometimes even intact) forests, shrublands, and fernlands, often thriving under pigeon roosts.

Control methods

Physical control
This plant is hard to kill. Pull or dig seedlings (all year round). Leave on site to rot down.

Herbicide control

• Cut and squirt (all year round) or bore and fill: Make 1 cut or hole every 10 cm around the trunk, apply a slurry of metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (2g) to each cut or hole. Or,
• Cut down and paint stump (all year round) with metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/L). Or,
• Spray (spring-autumn) with metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/10L + penetrant).
• Bared areas reseed profusely. Stumps coppice. Maintain rolling front, follow up at least 6-monthly to control seedlings. Replant densely, using pigeon-friendly species where possible to minimise seedling growth.
• CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Related links

• Monkey apple • Weedbusters
• NPPA and the control of weeds | NZ Government