Variation
var.cliffortioides     Mountain Beach
This smaller slow growing tree to 14m (42ft) forms tiered branching with a rounded crown and has ovate to ovate -oblong leaves with an acute apex.

It occurs from sea level to an altitude of 1200m (3600ft) growing in sub alpine forests tolerating drier conditions. It establishes in 4 to 7 years attaining a height of 2m (6ft) and is long lived. It is planted in large gardens and parks as a specimen tree but is more commonly a forest tree.

Note:
Nothofagus sppare closely related to the northern hemisphere Beeches (Fagus spp) differing only in producing plump rounded buds and much smaller leaves that are commonly evergreen.

They grow in simular topographic regions on mountains up to the tree line and on lowlands where they tend to become stunted. New Zealand trees produce timber that is smooth and fine grained which is used in fine furniture.