The lonely blogger in the land of the long white cloud

A friend and I were chatting and the subject of New Zealand came up.  Plans were made and off to this far away place labeled by some past traveler as the land of plants.  As one geologist noted, about 85 million years ago Zealandia broke away from Gondwana with a unique cargo of plants and animals. It drifted along the boundary of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates untouched by humans until the Maori arrived as part of the great Pacific Ocean migration about 800 years ago.

New Zealand has a large assortment of conifers to seek out and enjoy.  The logical place of course is the Bot garden in Auckland and it is a good start.  However to see the great trees requires a bit of travel.  In the Northland north of Auckland is the Waipoua preserve.  It features the giant Kauri(Agathis australis) trees which were part of the unique cargo noted above.  This species dates to 200 million years ago and, before the arrival of the British in the late 1700's, grew over large swaths Zealandia.  Currently the largest tree standing carries the Maori name TANE MAHUTA (Lord of the forest).  It is 14.5' in diameter and 45' in circumference.  The height is 150'+ and the age is estimated to be 2,000yrs.  It is truly impressive. The largest tree known to exist  is the Kauri ghost tree .  Get this! It was 28' in diameter and 88' in circumference, twice the size of the current TANE.  It didn't take long for the British to destroy the New Zealand forest in the name of the king.

Mckinney Kauri Tree

Podocarps  Perhaps the most abundant conifer across the two main islands.  Podocarpus totara(Maori-Totara) and Prumnopitys taxifolia(Maori-Matai). Large specimen trees are scattered about in preserves and isolated forests and can be accessed with a bit of effort.  For the less adventurous, look for them in parks and gardens labeled as "Queen's Gardens."  An excellent example is the park in Wanganui just north of Wellington.

Large Matai Tree

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides-Kahikatea-New Zealand white pine.  This is the tallest tree in the country, reaching 200' more or less.  Found primarily in wet areas on the south island but also on the north island. A grove stands in a preserve near Hokitika at Lake Kaniere. The trees are growing in the swamp.

Dacrydium cupressinum-Rimu.  This tree is unique to me because of its weeping foliage.  It is abundant and grows as a companion to other conifers in the forests.  In a forest setting the tree is often thinly foliaged  and not worth a second look.  However, planted in an open area with plenty of sun, it really takes on a interesting shape and texture with dense weeping needles hanging as much as 12" below the branches.  In the far north of the south island(near Karamea) a sign designating the site of the large Rimu.  I can't resist the hike to see this tree.  It is worth it. It is in an isolated spot about a forty minute hike from a very lonely road.  The diameter is 9' and the height is estimated at 150'+. Wow. Getting dark so out of here.  One note. The wood of this tree is a rich red color and highly prized for furniture and other human uses.  So, the tree was heavily timbered and only a few great trees remain.

The Big Rimu

Much more is to be seen in the conifer realm along with the beautiful scenery.