'This tree is of historic importance. It was planted by John Guard, eldest son of Jack Guard, who discovered the Tory Channel in 1827. John Guard's son, Albert, who is now well over 90 years old, remembers the tree being large when he was a young boy. The homestead as it is to-day, is built over and around the original cottage, home of John Guard. Port Underwood abounds with history of the early settlers'. Elwood-Smith. 1992. 'Probably the oldest pohutukawa planted outside its natural habitat'. Duthie 1993.