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Tree Information x
| Identifier: | CR/2219 |
|---|---|
| Tree Type: | Single |
| Registered By: | Hammer, J.R. |
| Registration Category: | Notable tree/s – Local interest |
| General Notes:
|
This very fine tawhai raunui/red beech is one of the largest known specimens within the reserve and on Banks Peninsula. The signage suggests the tree is c400 years old.
Its exceptional size is the result of ideal growing conditions: the tree is rooted beside a permanent creek, while the steep sides of the gully provide long-term shelter from wind and climatic exposure. Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve protects a narrow remnant of red beech (Tawhai raunui) forest within a steep, sheltered valley. Red beech has a very limited natural distribution on Banks Peninsula, which makes both this tree and the reserve an important feature of regional ecological significance. There is apparently a hot spring located in the creek making visiting this fine tree potentially more appealing. An interesting basal anomaly is present, where an area resembling dead stem wood is actually live tissue. Situated between two root flares, this feature transitions into a cavity behind the cambium of the root flare (Hammer, J.R., 2025). |
Single Tree Details
| Genus: | Nothofagus | |
|---|---|---|
| Species: | fusca | |
| Common names: | red beech, tawhai | |
| Height: | 35.80m | |
| Height measurement method: | Nikon Forestry Pro | |
| Height Comments: | Multiple height measurements where added to asitane the height as no visual whole tree view was available. This was done twice at different sides of the tree to come up with a final figure. | |
| Girth: | 611 cm | |
| Girth measurement height: | 1.4 m | |
| Girth Comments: | Measurement taken from the highest side of the base, the low side is 2-3 meters further down a bank. | |
| Diameter: | 194.5 cm | |
| Crown Spread A: | 22.20m | |
| Crown Spread B: | 19.20m | |
| Avg. Crown Spread: | 20.70m | |
| Actual Planting Date: | actual date not specified | |
| Approx. Planting Date: |
e.g. circa. 1860 |
|
| Current Age: | not known years | |
| Tree Health Description: | In good vigour | |
| Tree Form Type: | Single Trunk | |
| Number of Trunks: | 1 | |
| Tree Form Comments: | The tree has a long, straight main stem with a strong, upright branching habit, forming a high, well-defined canopy. There is no evidence of historical branch failure, making this specimen an exceptional example of its species in near-optimal structural condition. | |
| Champion Tree Score: | 375 | |
| Local Protection Status: | No | |
| Tree Present: | Yes | |
| STEM Score: | 0 |
Observations
| Date | Observer | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan 2026 | Hammer, J.R. |
Location
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Images
| Preview | Credit | Date |
|---|---|---|
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Ra Hammer | 14 Jan 2026 |
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Ra Hammer | 14 Jan 2026 |