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The Kauri Tree

Agathis australis


Family:
Araucariaceae (evergreen trees found only
in the Southern Hemisphere)
Genus:
Agathis (20 species of very large trees
found in the southwest Pacific)
Species:
australis (the only species in New Zealand)


The kauri tree, Agathis australis, is New Zealand's
largest and most famous native tree. It is a type of
conifer or pine tree which grows in the subtropical
northern part of the North Island.

Kauri forest has a characteristic dense luxuriant undergrowth with under storeys of
small trees. shrubs, ferns, mosses, lichens, epiphytes and lianes. Associated
podocarps are rimu, miro, totara, toatoa and tanekaha. Associated hardwoods are
tawa and taraire.

Ancestors of the kauri first appeared in the Jurassic Period 190 - 135 million years
ago. The kauri - podocarp - hardwood forests are among the most ancient in the
world.

The largest kauri in existence is Tane Mahuta (Maori for &quote "Lord of the Forest").
It is 4.4 metres in diameter and 17.7 metres to the first branch. The museum has
displays showing even larger trees which were growing in the past.

As a young tree the kauri has a narrow conical shape with branches along the length
of the trunk. As it gains height the lower branches are shed. Eventually the top
branches develop into a massive spreading crown which stands out above the other
trees and dominates the forest. The trunk steadily grows outwards and forms a huge
column with no branches. The bark is shed in thick flakes of varying size. This helps
to keep the tree free of epiphytes.

Reproduction is with male and female cones on the same tree. Fertilisation of seeds
can occur with pollen from the same or different trees. The female cones take two
years to mature. Winged seeds are dispersed by the wind when cones disintegrate.

The oldest tree is estimated to be 2000 years old. This is Te Matua Ngahere (Father
of the Forest) in Waipoua Forest. Larger trees from the past were even o