This tree was most likely planted between 1870-1872, as Reefton was not in existence as a town prior to then. The section that the Reefton Hospital sits on was originally owned by Dr. Rockstrow. The hospital committee bought his acre of land and a cottage on it when the hospital was established in 1872. There were later extensive gardens around the hospital, many of the trees planted by the first superintendent David O. Preshaw (McCaughan, C., 2023).

Exotic trees of this vintage are a rare sight on the West Coast. The tree is thought to have been planted in the 1860's (Burstall 1974). Despite its short stature, the tree has a surprisingly large stem hidden beneath the low growing canopy. Well worth the short detour off the main highway through Reefton (Cadwallader, B.G. 2013).

Ref: New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Research Institute, Forest Mensuration Report No. 21, 1974, pg. 37 (unpublished), Burstall, S.W.