Identifier: | WKR/1216 |
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Tree Type: | Single |
Registered By: | Smillie, M.J. |
Registration Category: | Notable tree – National interest |
General Notes: |
Publicised as the tallest native tree in New Zealand, this fine specimen is actually somewhat shorter than advertised.
The tree, standing on the north/west bank of the Blue Bill Stream, off the Bell track in Pirongia Forest Park, is stated in Department of Conservation information and signage as being 66.5 m tall. A number of other heights for a tall kahikatea in Pirongia Forest Park has been summarised at Chris Earle's Gymnosperm Database (Click here) as being 62.7 m tall (DOC emails 2012), 66 to 67 m tall (anon.) or 55.1 m (Robert Van Pelt measurement of a tree on Bell Track, 2002). The maximum height measured in 2014 was 52.8 m. This height, the location and the girth of the tree was consistent with the 2002 measurements by Van Pelt (height 55.1 m, diameter 2.20 m). His measurements can reliably be considered the most accurate for this tree. Therefore it appears the tallest known kahikatea in New Zealand is actually a 56.4 m tall tree measured by Van Pelt in 2009 near the Matirangi Forest in Taranaki (Smillie, April 2014) |
Genus: | Dacrycarpus | |
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Species: | dacrydioides | |
Common names: | kahikatea, white pine | |
Height: | 55.10m | |
Height measurement method: | Clinometer/Laser rangefinder/Sine | |
Height Comments: | 2002 Van Pelt measurement recorded here. See notes on observations below. | |
Girth: | 691 cm | |
Girth measurement height: | 1.7 m | |
Girth Comments: | Girth measurement is an approximation based on image analysis, as the base of the tree was unable to be accessed due to high water in the stream. It appears identical to the 2002 measurement by Van Pelt | |
Diameter: | 220 cm | |
Crown Spread A: | 15.00m | |
Crown Spread B: | 15.00m | |
Avg. Crown Spread: | 15.00m | |
Actual Planting Date: | actual date not specified | |
Approx. Planting Date: |
e.g. circa. 1860 |
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Current Age: | not known years | |
Tree Health Description: | Typical for a mature kahikatea | |
Tree Form Type: | Single Trunk | |
Number of Trunks: | 1 | |
Tree Form Comments: | Tall, clean bole to 20 m. Narrow,elongated crown above the large first branch | |
Champion Tree Score: | 465 | |
Local Protection Status: | Yes | |
Tree Present: | Yes | |
STEM Score: | 0 |
Date | Observer | Action |
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21 Apr 2014 | Smillie, M.J. | |
30 Jun 2002 | Robert Van Pelt |
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